Homeschooling and The Special Needs Child

Homeschooling everywhere is starting to become a household favorite as more and more parents tend to opt for it as there child's form of education. It is hard to find good, quality education and more so when finding education for a child with special needs.

With rise of abuse by teachers and pupils alike and unjust treatment of children with special needs while in school, parents are now slowly looking into other ways of educating their children. Homeschooling has become "that way". There are many curriculums out there that cater to the needs of special needs children's education style. There are also other curriculums that are not tailored for special needs children, but can be modified to fit their needs.

There are quiet a few families in Saudi Arabia who have opted for Homeschooling for their special needs child. This largely has to do with the unsatisfactory degree of education that takes place here. In addition to the small amount of qualified special education or quality teachers that exist here.

With homeschooling, parents have control over what the child is learning. They also have control over who is present and who is teaching it. Though parents sometimes feel they don't have the time or they don't know how, homeschooling doesn't require you to have prior knowledge about your child's grade level. Most if not all of the curriculums you would follow have instructions or an outline for you to follow. Or there is also the option of you making your own curriculum. Though this may take time to figure out it may be the better option as you would know how your child learns.

There are also options for a homeschool teacher to come to your home and teach your child. Helping Hands offers the option of a teacher coming to your home and teaching your special needs child. Just like being in a traditional school, but being educated in the home with books and supplies that are supplied by Helping Hands.

Pay Close Attention to Your Child's Needs

There are many parents who seem to pass of their child's sicknesses or issues as something else, that may be more mild.


This young girl in the following article was the product of such as thing. Her parents believed she was suffering from one illness when she was actually suffering from another. Its very important for us to help our children the best way we can and be attentive to their needs. You, as the parent know your child best, therefore when you sense there is a problem, don't rule anything out.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2238564/11-year-old-Abigail-Lightbown-dies-brain-tumour-parents-mistook-symptoms-eating-disorder.html

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Please do all that you can to create an awareness about Down Syndrome.

Below is a video that brings a reality to us about death, death of parents who have children with special needs. In the video this family is faced with the reality that one day the parents may die and the thought of what their child's future may hold is....a reality.

Saudi Arabia Special Education News

To give readers insight on what the Saudi media thinks of special education or children with special needs, I have compiled a list of news articles (links) that pertain to special education in Saudi. Enjoy and pass it along.

http://www.arabnews.com/offbeat/special-education-saudi-hidden-hazard

http://www.arabnews.com/national-plan-curb-family-violence-ok%E2%80%99d

http://www.arabnews.com/shoura-members-seek-restructuring-hrdf

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20120923137162

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=2009041234829

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20120529125329

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20120329120607

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2011022394429

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20120715130011

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20120410121497

http://www.arabnews.com/daycare-centers-%E2%80%98must%E2%80%99-say-saudi-career-women

http://saudilife.net/alphabets/29621-what-is-special-about-special-education

Consanguinity Amoung Arab families

The following information is from a website called "Exceptional Arab Families" (link below)

Inter-family marriages (consanguineous marriage) have been among the main causes for birth of children with special needs.  A Bahraini study reported that: " The rate of cousin marriage was 39.4% in the present generation and 45.5% in the previous generation, indicating a high rate of consanguinity, decreasing significantly over time. 

The rate of first cousin marriage was 21%. Interestingly, while 53% 
of respondents were in favor of consanguineous marriage, 62% 
agreed it could cause genetic disease and 47.8% agreed it could cause social problems.

 http://www.exceptionalarabfamily.dmsindex.com/


From my research about this topic; it seems that marriage to a first cousin is not the problem. The problems surface when your parents, grand parents and great grandparents all have married their first cousin. This causes for hereditary issues to increase because of the small pool of genes, which would be similar or the same.

Special Needs Alert

Wouldn't it be a good idea if some sort of alert was established for children with special needs here in Saudi? For example, A child with Autism goes missing. How would we be able to find him or her? What if he or she is non-verbal and isn't able to talk? How would they tell a stranger what their name is or who their mom and dad is? Maybe by having something similar to an Amber Alert (which is a system in America used for children who have gone missing) put in place could make thin a little easier for parents.

Some children with Autism may not understand the dangers that could happen to them, therefore, break away from the family or group out of complete curiosity . But if the child doesn't have like a name bracelet or any type of identification on him or her then no one would know what family they belong too. I know this may seem like a foreign concept to people living here in the Kingdom, but I think its something that could be put in place by a Prince, overseen by a Ministry. (Am I getting a little too ahead of myself?)

Mention this idea to people you know, I will do so as well. Being that everything is done by word of mouth here anyway, this idea may reach the right people, and Allahu Alim, before we know it, it could be a country wide thing!

(Just a little reminder)

Saudi Gazette Article- Centers and Clubs for the Deaf

 This is an article published from the newspaper "Saudi Gazette" about the need for opening centers for those who are deaf. I personally have 1 or 2 qualms with this article as it doesn't seem like much thought was put into how people would feel after reading this article. There are points of the article where sensitivity, obviously wasn't thought about.

The article is below:


http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20120602125678


My first problem: " ....500,000 deaf and dumb people in the Kingdom". I think the "dumb" word was unnecessary and offensive. The use of the term "deaf and dumb" were used to identify people who were deaf and didn't speak or use verbal communication. This term has not been used in the mainstream for years and years. Those who do not speak are now identified as being "mute". So because someone doesn't use verbal communication, that makes them dumb?? Since when??  Additionally, someone who is not able to hear, is able to think! This term is not politically correct, its 2012, Allahu Mus'taain!

My second problem:  ".....he does not think that there is a need for the establishment for special centers for them". So the Director General who is being quoted here is pretty much saying (this is my interpretation) that enough is being done through the Ministry of Social Affairs and nothing additional is needed. Really? So this means that all 500,000 deaf and mute people in the Kingdom are being serviced by the Ministry. Because if they are not, then there need to be other places where they can receive adequate help.

What I do like about the article is the input the author got from some people who work in the field, the information they gave and the statistic given on the number of deaf and mute people in the Kingdom.

So what do you guys think? Should the term "deaf and dumb" be used to identify those who can't hear and or speak? Are there enough centers in the country that cater to those who are deaf and mute? (I don't think 4 qualifies as enough)

Just poking my head in.....

Hey I am Special With Needs! readers....

I haven't posted anything in a little while. I wasn't abandoning my readers :-( I have been really busy with my new program, "Helping Hands". (By the will of Allah) I have been able to create an awareness for children who have special needs through being out and about within the community, talking to members of society informing them about children who have special needs and the resources available in their city,mainly Jeddah. I feel this is also my responsibility as an advocate for children and families with special needs. Society needs to be educated, this includes you and I. Because I work in the field doesn't mean I know every single thing. There is always new research, new diagnosis, and new methods within this field which may be hard to reach for one reason or another. With this being the case, it's important for us to stay up-to-date on topics that deal with special eduction, both in Saudi Arabia and around the world.

I have realized the first step in lending a helping hand, specifically here in Saudi is by educating the people. If the community doesn't know about people with special needs or disabilities, special education and special needs resources in general how am I to expect them to help their family members or children.

For my readers who are interested in learning more, what do you recommend as steps that I can take that would help to benefit you, your family or your community? Please leave comments below....

Opening of Autism Center in Riyadh

A new Autism Center will be opening in Riyadh, started by Defense Minister Prince Salman.....Yaaaaaay!

Read Article below:

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article613509.ece

Disabled student drop-outs

Came across this article and thought it was important.

If these students are not going to school then where are they going for education???

http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?storyid=1093320346

Handicapped Accessible Everything in Saudi Arabia

I think Saudi Arabia would be an easier country for disabled people to live in if things were a little more accessible to people with disabilities. Things like those below can help make KSA a more disability-friendly place:

• Lowered sidewalks
• Wheelchair ramps built for wheelchair users
• More elevators in business establishments
• Parking spaces near front entrances of stores and malls 
• Vehicles (specifically mini vans) available for sale with electronic levers to help the wheelchair user get into the car easier
• Handicap accessible public bathrooms

Come on Saudi you can do it!