Two years ago, after a lifetime in Michigan and one (homeschooling) year near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, our family moved to Madison, Wisconsin.  We fell in love with the suburb in which we chose a home.  There was a park with a playground across the street, the local athletic club had a waterpark and swimming lessons specifically for autistic children, downtown was just the right size for us.

At that time, I had been homeschooling all of my children for two years, my eldest for five.  Moving to a new town, I planned to enroll our youngest and oldest in public school while keeping Daniel at home.  I was certain the schools would not be able to meet his needs.

A Brief History of Our School Adventures

Daniel had been in public school for four years before we started moving around.  His preschool autism program at the Macomb Intermdiate School District (MISD) had been wonderful.  His teachers, therapists, and aides were brilliant.  But after three years, the autism program no longer suited him.  He was placed in regular kindergarten (with no aide or support) for half the day and in a program for cognitively impaired children the other half. 

His teachers were still great, but since Daniel is not cognitively impaired, we knew this was a short-term solution.  Instead of fighting the system to get the services he needed, I decided to teach Daniel at home.  I’m no mother warrior. Two years of homeschooling all of the children ensued.

A School that Wants Autistic Kids

By the time we moved to Wisconsin, I’d had children at home almost constantly for 11 years.  Though I loved having my children with me, I was burned out and yearning for quiet time.  I was glad that Ellana and Stephen wanted to go to school.

When we had narrowed our househunting on a small area, we decided to visit the school before finalizing our decision.  We arrived at the school unannounced at the end of the day, yet were greeted warmly.  The administrator showed us the open-concept (no walls) school, beaming with pride.  When she asked why only two of our children would be going to school, we explained that Daniel has special needs that we did not think would be met in school.  She immediately called one of the special education teachers to talk to us, not in a pushy way, but joyfull sharing how the school welcomed all children.  We quickly realized that this school would be perfect.

Easily Granted Special Ed Services

We moved in July.  I went to the school to arrange for services for Daniel.  The principle and special ed coordinator met with me and, based on my description of his needs and skills, provided him with an aide, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.  I as astounded that all he needed came together after a pleasant chat and a handshake.  (He was evaluated and we put an IEP in place later, but he started receiving services immediately.)

Daniel attended class in a mainstream third grade classroom.  An aide was available to him as needed — which was almost full-time when he started at the school.  The special ed teachers and therapists provided additional instruction throughout the week.

Our experience with the school was everything we wished and more.  Daniel loved the school and the teachers.  Ellana and Stephen loved their teachers.  All was well.

Delighted with how everything came together for us in Wisconsin, we planned to be there until our youngest graduated from college.

Moving — Again

We left Wisconsin in June to enjoy summer in Michigan. In August, we discovered that a job transfer required that we move back to Michigan.

We were in shock.  How could this be?  Wisconsin was supposed to be our home for the next decade!  The schools were fabulous.  The children enjoyed their extracurricular activities, especially choir and karate.  We had bike paths and parks and huge water parks nearby.  But . . .

The Only Constant in Life is Change

Three months after school started in Michigan and Wisconsin, we are homeschooling and working out the logistics of house buying and selling.  Sometimes we agonize:  Is it healthy to move children, specifially autistic children, around like this?

We’re figuring it out was we go along.  (to be continued)

Soon you’ll be able to read much more about our adventures and misadventures in making school work for our Uniquely Magnificent Children.  Look forSwan Mothers: Discovering Our Inner Heroes through Parenting Uniquely Magnificent Children on Amazon.com starting in February 2012.