Are there no special needs consultants in South Jersey??

[DB in NJ]

I am having the most difficult time finding someone! Almost everyone I've tried to contact has either had their phone number changed or is in another state and has to do one-on-one consultations.

I'm so weary.

Even though I've been homeschooling for 12 years, this is my first year with special needs students, and I'm LOST! My sister left her dh and kids and moved to Canada, leaving me to watch the kids and pick up where she left off homeschooling.

My niece is 13 almost 14, has obvious issues but has never been evaluated by a professional. My sister "diagnosed" her as having Asperger's; I'm not convinced. She's using a do-it-yourself, fill-in-the-blanks curriculum -- which my sister never worked with her, let alone check the work -- on about a 4th grade level.

My recently-turned 7 yo nephew had done 7 pages of math from September to February. That's it. He's learning to read and doing math well. He's a bright, eager learner but has behavioral issues.

I NEED HELP! I'm ready to cry guys....I am so overwhelmed and lost.

I've been in touch with HSLDA, but the contacts they sent me are the ones who have either changed their numbers or haven't gotten back to me yet. :glare:

If nothing else, can I have a hug? Sympathy? A glass of wine??

[JudoMom]

I am having the most difficult time finding someone! Almost everyone I've tried to contact has either had their phone number changed or is in another state and has to do one-on-one consultations.

I'm so weary.

Even though I've been homeschooling for 12 years, this is my first year with special needs students, and I'm LOST! My sister left her dh and kids and moved to Canada, leaving me to watch the kids and pick up where she left off homeschooling.

My niece is 13 almost 14, has obvious issues but has never been evaluated by a professional. My sister "diagnosed" her as having Asperger's; I'm not convinced. She's using a do-it-yourself, fill-in-the-blanks curriculum -- which my sister never worked with her, let alone check the work -- on about a 4th grade level.

My recently-turned 7 yo nephew had done 7 pages of math from September to February. That's it. He's learning to read and doing math well. He's a bright, eager learner but has behavioral issues.

I NEED HELP! I'm ready to cry guys....I am so overwhelmed and lost.

I've been in touch with HSLDA, but the contacts they sent me are the ones who have either changed their numbers or haven't gotten back to me yet. :glare:

If nothing else, can I have a hug? Sympathy? A glass of wine??

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: I'm so sorry that your sister has made the choices she has. I'm so sorry that she's left you to deal with her mess, and I'm so thankful that you're there to pick up the pieces for these kids. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

[newbie]

I kinda know where you are coming from. I have been helping my niece w/her education for last five yrs. Although I had her placed in private school.

First of all, lots of hugs and a virtual box of wine. Too bad they dont come in kegs.

Second have you tried yellowpagesforkids.com. Also wrightslaw.com has a ton of resources.

In San diego I had semi free consults over the phone basically saying if I have a case or not.

You definitely need to get her tested, I dont know about your area , but I would think you can go thru your local school district and put in a request for testing. A great book if you want to start down this road to get help, is the wrightslaw book. If you want to pay, I suggest a neuro psych who specializes in Aspergers. I think our test was 250. But, worth the money. You than know what path to take.

If you need any help or a shoulder to cry on just pm me. I have been thru it all, other than hsing her. i dont think I could do that.

Just know you are doing a great thing and God is by your side.
Blessings.:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

[DB in NJ]

I kinda know where you are coming from. I have been helping my niece w/her education for last five yrs. Although I had her placed in private school.

First of all, lots of hugs and a virtual box of wine. Too bad they dont come in kegs.

Second have you tried yellowpagesforkids.com. Also wrightslaw.com has a ton of resources.

In San diego I had semi free consults over the phone basically saying if I have a case or not.

You definitely need to get her tested, I dont know about your area , but I would think you can go thru your local school district and put in a request for testing. A great book if you want to start down this road to get help, is the wrightslaw book. If you want to pay, I suggest a neuro psych who specializes in Aspergers. I think our test was 250. But, worth the money. You than know what path to take.

If you need any help or a shoulder to cry on just pm me. I have been thru it all, other than hsing her. i dont think I could do that.

Just know you are doing a great thing and God is by your side.
Blessings.:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

OH. MY. WORD. I just found what looks like a PERFECT place that's not too far away and very easy to get to!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

HUGE sigh of relief here!!!!!!

:D :grouphug: :D :grouphug: :D

[newbie]

No problem, if you need anything else just let me know. Its a long road but w/friends and support you can do it.

[DB in NJ]

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: I'm so sorry that your sister has made the choices she has. I'm so sorry that she's left you to deal with her mess, and I'm so thankful that you're there to pick up the pieces for these kids. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

:grouphug: This means so very much to me. Thank you!!!!! :grouphug:

[lisabees]

There is a poster on millermom's board that seems to know EVERYTHING about New Jersey in relation to special needs - she's a real advocate in that state. You can read her posts. She is there every day!

I just left her a PM about it; I'll let you know if she responds with some names!

HTH!

Lisa

[DB in NJ]

There is a poster on millermom's board that seems to know EVERYTHING about New Jersey in relation to special needs - she's a real advocate in that state. You can read her posts. She is there every day!

I just left her a PM about it; I'll let you know if she responds with some names!

HTH!

Lisa

Oh wow, that's awesome! Thank you! ....what board are you talking about though?

[homeschool_mom]

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

If nothing else, can I have a hug? Sympathy? A glass of wine??

[JudoMom]

OH. MY. WORD. I just found what looks like a PERFECT place that's not too far away and very easy to get to!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

HUGE sigh of relief here!!!!!!

:D :grouphug: :D :grouphug: :D

:party:

[tilly2329]

Hi all,
This is a great post for NJers! I was curious to know what place you found that you were looking into going to? Also, what is the name of the poster on the millermom board? Would you pass along the info to me as well? I can use all the help I can get from veterans in the state. I have a seven year old Aspie and sometimes finding people to help who truly understand the disability can be tricky.
Thanks,
Elaine

[Alessandra]

Here is a listing of ASPEN chapters in NJ -- some are southern NJ.
http://www.aspennj.org/chapters.asp