Hello Everyone,

For those of you who have special needs children (and for those of you who may know someone who has children with special needs) Bonnie Wagner and I have started a support group for home schooling families with special needs children.

Our purpose is two fold. First to allow the children and family members to get together for support and activities (such as parties, field trips, craft/project sessions). Secondly for those who cannot get services for their children (which is all of us I am sure) and to raise awareness in the community. For many children in Delaware (and other states) home schooled or not, there are not appropriate services and educational support systems in place to meet all of their needs. As Asperger's Autism and other spectrum disorders are on the rise this
problem will only increase.

I think our voices need to be heard. I hope that you will spread the word to others as to what we are trying to do. Bonnie and I have many ideas to put into place but we need the help and support of not only those of you dealing with special needs children but for those who will support us and help us in our fight for what is needed.

In the future I would like to gather numerous resources of books, websites, curriculum etc and compile them for the families with children with special needs. I would like to start a library of resources. I also would like to plan a conference with Doctors, Nurses, Speech therapists, and O.T. etc to discuss the complex needs of our children and how we at home can help. We can build a network for those who have children that may be diagnosed in the future or for those pulling their children out of school to home school. Just as tristate has mentors, we can have parent mentors for those who are "old hat" at this.

Again, I would like to state that my goal is to serve the home schooled and those who aren't home schooled. I am planning our first children's meeting at this time. It will take place at Love of Christ Church on Weds Dec 14th at 1 pm. There will be a Christmas craft and parents should bring a snack to share and some juice/soda/water. I would also like to schedule a field trip in the evening to Longwood Gardens to see the Christmas lights and displays. I must have 15 people to qualify for a group rate. For group rates the cost is $10/Adults, $2/ age 6-18, and under six is free.

Please contact me at 302-266-0541 or jitalong@comcast.net if you would be interested in joining this group and/ or coming to any of the activities.

Tammy Long