Do you know any home-schooled children, diver dan?

Because I've had a lot to do with alternative education, I've met dozens of families who home-school their children. And I know dozens of adults who were home-schooled as children. Trust me, they are 100% normal in every way. Added to that, they have a strong sense of their own self-worth because they have received their education in a relaxed, comfortable environment (their own home), from teachers with a 100% vested interest in their personal future (their own parents). They get plenty of social interaction through their hobbies and interests, their extended family networks, and playing with neighbourhood children - to name a few.

And what kind of social integration do schools really teach? How often throughout life do we have to sit in a room day in day out with a group of 30 other people with whom we have nothing in common except that we were all born in the same year? Life is not like that.

And how long have schools - in the form of mass education - been around anyway? Less than 150 years. The vast majority of children throughout history have been 'home' schooled.

diver dan,

Aspergers/high-functioning autism are referred to as behavioural/sensory conditions - not 'mental' illnesses. Aspergers is practically the same as high-functioning autism except it doesn't require a communication deficit component as part of the diagnosis - ie, my son had a significant speech delay (although he was reading fluently well before he turned five).

Let's get a few things straight.

1. I would have home educated him regardless of whether or not he's considered autistic.

2.His autistic tendencies are barely noticeable because he's not constantly harassed and provoked.

3.He socialises regularly with neighbourhood children, children of friends and those he meets at activities outside of school hours.

4.One of the defining aspects of Aspergers and autistic behaviour in general is a 'superior level of concentration' on subjects of interest. My son could concentrate, retain and impart information, for Australia on many subjects of interest to him. that's why Aspergers chidren are often referred to as 'litle professors'. (it's possible to cover all the relevant disciplines by utilising his own specific interests - his strengths)

5. As for the social obligation to 'force people to conform'. I invite you to pop on to any autism forum and witness the devastation and grief regularly reported by parents of these children in the school system. Reread spindoc's quotes from Fiona Stanley.

You obviously consider our system of mass education fitting for your so-called 'normal children'. Well I say it's not good enough for them. They deserve better than to be standardised and treated like factory fodder - something the diver dans of the world ignorantly promote.

One more thing. As a homeschooling parent,I liaise 'directly' with the local office of our state's education department. The attitude from the the staff there has been nothing but respectful and helpful - the complete opposite of the animosity you have displayed while expressing your views.

Thanks Killarney, a balanced view.

Do you have any educational qualifications, Poirot?

I don't about you but when my car breaks down, I get a qualified mechanic to fix it. An accountant does my taxes. I can cook, but not as well as a chef. I visit my GP when I'm sick... and if I had kids I would want them to be educated by somebody with specialist training in education: a teacher. Isn't it a little bit arrogant to presume you can do a better job than a committed, experienced and highly skilled professional just because your son has special needs? You do realise that there are teachers who specialise in teaching special needs children and do a fantastic job of it?

Cheers,

Tony

Poirot / Killarney:

...I could debate this issue until the cows return to the bails, but won’t. I go further though, and offer another view of mine, namely: “ The problem with children is their parents”. You two are more evidence to reinforce that view. Toughen up; offer the same support to your own community school you selfishly apply to your personal misguided ends, and get on board!

This subject is one Tony Abbott should investigate after he rolls Gillard and Brown at the next election. Taxpayers dollars should not accompany the home schooling branch of education, outside of the need under a strict criteria, such as cases of children living in remote isolated areas of Australia, where such a regime is totally necessary.

It should NOT apply to lazy social escapees excusing themselves under the guise that their oversensitive children are being picked-off at school.

A very good article, thank you Ted Trainer!

spindoc, Ted Trainer asked the question "Do School Educate?" The gist of his article was not "Do school's and universities educate?"

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=13412#231659

Hasbeen, you lost me with "Ted & his mates must be longing for Hitlers Germany." Perhaps you just don't comprehend the gist of the article.

Dozer, http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=13412#231708

Havebeen exchanging notes with Hasbeen?

'individual' - you obviously can't help yourself.

Diver, without you I couldn't thank Squeers, Daffy, Killarney - and Poirot especially ... very poignant!

bonmot, you make a very good case for your Mum to have kept the Stork and sent you back?

Your really are a RALT.