#Homeschooling provides a safer, more controlled, and value-consistent educational environment for Michael, addressing our concerns about his unique needs and our family's preferences. Here are the reasons why I believe homeschooling is the best choice for us: 1. Protection from Abuse: Michael’s challenges in communication could hinder his ability to report or even perceive harmful behaviors — ranging from physical to emotional abuse. 2. Prevention of Inappropriate Discipline: In school environments, Michael faces a significant risk of being disciplined or managed by staff who are likely not adequately trained to understand his unique needs. This can lead to neglect, inappropriate responses, and potential physical or emotional trauma, with a high possibility of these incidents going unreported. 3. Complete Educational Oversight: It offers me full authority over the curriculum and educational content, allowing Michael to bypass certain teaching methods and subjects that I find objectionable and that are increasingly prevalent in our school system. 4. Reinforcing Family Values: It enables us to strengthen our family bonds and ensures that Michael's education is in line with our specific family values and beliefs, especially important at a time when these are often contested in mainstream education. 5. Personalized Socialization: I can selectively manage the social settings and peer groups Michael engages with. This approach allows us to promote healthier social interactions that resonate with our family's values. 6. Inclusion Challenges: After investing much time and energy advocating for Michael's rights and inclusion, I am reluctant to entrust his care to a system where children like him are still often separated from mainstream classes. This separation denies him the fair education and is not in the best interests of children like Michael, who should have equal opportunities to learn alongside their peers, an experience crucial for his development. #parenting #autism #signlanguage #nonspeaking #nonverbal #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness #autismjourney #neurodivergent #toddler #cute #education