When many see an autistic child opting out of group conformity, I see it as a strong assertion of their priorities, a trait I deeply respect and wish to preserve. Michael's hesitance isn't due to an inability to join group efforts; his engagement is clear when he's genuinely interested. For instance, his lack of motivation on this day was understandable, given his dad, who usually watches him perform, was unavailable due to work duties. Coupled with the session being particularly loud and overstimulating, his preference to step back was completely justified. Additionally, the lesson here is one that most may miss: If a child resists group activities, stepping into their world instead of insisting they step into ours can reveal valid, insightful reasons for their choices. This also underscores the critical need for personalized support. In a traditional classroom setting, even as small as eight students, I find it unrealistic to expect the teacher to shift focus from the group to accommodate one student. As such, that responsibility falls on me, a role I take seriously. This role I fill for Michael, goes beyond what is typically expected 1:1 aide in traditional educational settings would be able to provide. Unfortunately, our current school system often overlooks the potential impact of well-supported 1:1 aides, who tend to be inadequately trained, underappreciated, and underpaid. From my perspective, this is precisely where more resources, attention, and value should be allocated —but it’s clear that this does not align with the priorities of today's educational leaderships. 👑 Full Mini-vlogs of our personalized approach and insights on IG Subscribers’ Page 👑 📌This leads me once more to explain why I've decided against enrolling my son in the school system. Even as I support the pursuit of a fair education and continue to contribute to a public education system from which my son sees no benefit, I remain committed to guiding his education myself, anchored in our family's values, principles, and attentive care. This choice ensures not only his flourishing but also that he remains away from environments where his well-being might be compromised by those who prioritize the business aspect of education over his best interests. #parenting #autism #ASL #signlanguage #nonspeaking #nonverbal #inspiration #motivate #autismawareness #autismjourney #neurodivergent #parentingtips #howto #education #progress #homeschoolingmom #unschooling