My last week has been crazy busy working on our school talent show. Late night rehearsals are killers on our family schedule. But it’s all over and was so much fun!
My children attend a special charter school for kids on the autistic spectrum. It has been a miracle for us. Public schools were just misserable, our children were bullied by other kids, the teachers were impatient and didn’t understand or like them, it was just a terrible situation. So finding this school has been the best thing ever for us. But part of attending a charter schools means there isn’t a lot of extra curricular options. So some of us parents volunteer in different areas. Last year there was a teacher who offered dance classes, this year a music teacher. And having read a lot about how great theater was for children on the spectrum I decided to offer theater classes. I taught a middle/high school group, which did well. And an elementary group, which was mostly for my own kids, but was a bit more challenging. Anyway a few weeks ago we had a performance! It’s not academy award winning but the kids had a BLAST and I think they even learned some and had a good time! I’ll be taking off the first semester next year with the baby, but plan on being back to teaching 2nd semester!
Anyway, this last week was crazy busy with dress rehearsals AND making the set. I know it doesn’t look like much, but considering that just 2 days before we had nothing I’m pretty happy with how well our “houses” turned out. This is the official performance but I wish I had a better video. this is one a high school student took for me. There WAS an official videograhper there so I’m hoping to get a better version (where my son isn’t cut off of most of the performance). And this was the very best the kids did out of any of our rehearsals. Thinking back to the beginning of the year they actually have changed so much and did so well I’m very pleased. I just wish my High school group had also chosen to preform. Next year!
That was a cute rehearsel. They did good. I know you are proud of them. Your hard work looks like it paid off. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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Ashlee Reply:
May 23rd, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Thanks1 It was actually the final performance, but I had a really bad videographer (some random HS student). I can’t WAIT to get my hands on the official video.
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Thanks, Ashlee… where is this amazing school for children on the spectrum??? I’m struggling with the public school system here and looking for a better alternative for my son, who is 13 and on the spectrum.
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Ashlee Reply:
June 13th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
It is an amazing school. It’s it North Salt Lake in UT. There is a waiting list and a lottery. Next year’s students have already been picked they do the lottery every January. They’ve added a jr high and high school as well this year. It’s been a miracle for us, so much better than public school! If it’s in your area feel free to contact me through email if you have any other questions. It’s called Spectrum Acadamy and it’s website is spectrumcharter.org
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Wow. It sounds really great… Thank you for the information. I wish we had a school like that here in Arizona. I’m so glad you found the Spectrum Academy. We are having the same problems that you were having with the public school system (bullies, teachers, admin, etc) and your story sounds so familiar. It seems that education for kids on the spectrum is hard to come by, and the kids end up without the right support for years before they get it. It makes me so mad, but I am glad that there are schools out there that we can apply to.
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Ashlee Reply:
June 14th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
I know Phx has a private school for Aspergers, but the last time I checked ours was the only Charter school in the nation! There really should be more. Our kids all deserve the help and resources of good teachers and good school without having to pay an arm and a leg. It’s a shame that usually all there is is private schools, and even those are rare! We never planned on living in Salt Lake but this school has made it all worth it.
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