Bendigo Autistic Advocacy and Support Service
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Homeschooling
Home Schooling
At BAASS, we recognise that attending school is sometimes not the best option for many autistic children. Many autistic children are being homeschooled by choice or because school environments are not inclusive and children are being traumatised by attending schools not inclusive to different needs.
Registration for homeschooling in Victoria is a straightforward and simple process.
We have included some information below to assist in making an informed decision.
Registration for homeschooling in Victoria is a straightforward and simple process.
We have included some information below to assist in making an informed decision.
Resources
Australian Home Education Advisory Network. Found here.
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General Information
- Media release 21 December 2016 "Making Sure Home School Students Get The Best Education"
- Getting Started. The Home Education Network. Read it here.
- Styles of homeschooling. Sue Wight for the Home Education Network. Read it here.
- 2018 Vic Legal Requirements and changes to homeschooling registration. Sue Wight, the Home Education Network. A simple guide is available here.
- Homeschooling Downunder. An information resource on home schooling in Australia. Visit the website here.
- I'm Unschooled, Yes I Can Write- a great blog about unschooling. Read 'Unschooling 101' here.
- Happiness Is Here- a great blog about homeschooling and unschooling. Read it here.
An extensive list of information sources can be found on the Home Education Network website here.
Socialisation
One of the most common myths/misperceptions around homeschooling, is that children won't or don't experience enough 'socialisation'.
This is definitely inaccurate for the majority of homeschooling children and youth.
We would also advocate for more understanding around what 'socialisation' means for autistic people- given our needs are different in relation to type, frequency, duration and dynamics of 'socialisation'.
Some great sources of information around homeschooling and socialisation can be found below.
Home Education Advisory Committee (HEAC)
The Victorian Home Education Advisory Committee was developed to provide guidance, information and feedback to the Department of Education and Training, Victoria (DET) and the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Advisory (VRQA) on the operation of the new Regulations. This advice will be used by DET and the VRQA to inform the development and implementation of the home education guidelines, support materials and templates plus other non-regulatory matters as they arise. More information can be found here.
Learning Plans
A great resource for guidance what a Learning Plan is and in developing them is via the Home Education Network website, here.
One of the most common myths/misperceptions around homeschooling, is that children won't or don't experience enough 'socialisation'.
This is definitely inaccurate for the majority of homeschooling children and youth.
We would also advocate for more understanding around what 'socialisation' means for autistic people- given our needs are different in relation to type, frequency, duration and dynamics of 'socialisation'.
Some great sources of information around homeschooling and socialisation can be found below.
- Socialisation for Autistic Children. One of our favourite resources on socialisation and autistic people is by Briannon Lee, writing for Respectfully Connected and can be found here.
- Friendships and Autistic Children- A Conversation Between Autistic Friends. Leia Solo and Briannon Lee. Read it here.
- The Importance of Solitude: When Socializing Isn't All It's Cracked Up to Be. I'm Unschooled, Yes I Can Write. Read it here.
- Homeschooling and Socialization. Happiness is here. Read it here.
- The Ultimate Unschooling Socialization Post by I'm Unschooled, Yes I Can Write. Read it here.
- The Myth of 'Awkwardness' Among Homeschoolers and Unschoolers. I'm Unschooled, Yes I Can Write. Read it here.
- Homeschool Socialization. Homeschooling Ideas. Read it here.
- What about Socialization? Homeschooling.com read it here.
Home Education Advisory Committee (HEAC)
The Victorian Home Education Advisory Committee was developed to provide guidance, information and feedback to the Department of Education and Training, Victoria (DET) and the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Advisory (VRQA) on the operation of the new Regulations. This advice will be used by DET and the VRQA to inform the development and implementation of the home education guidelines, support materials and templates plus other non-regulatory matters as they arise. More information can be found here.
Learning Plans
A great resource for guidance what a Learning Plan is and in developing them is via the Home Education Network website, here.
Unschooling - some information
Unschooling is a form of 'homeschooling', which recognises that life is learning and that learning is most meaningful and successful when able to follow the natural learning involved in exploring interests.
Unschooling children/youth/families approach learning in various ways, generally 'child-led' and interest based. In unschooling families, children/youth are supported in following natural courses of learning and interests.
Unschooling often focuses on strengths, passions and interests amongst a variety of environments and without content, levels or time restrictions.
Access some great writing about unschooling:
Unschooling children/youth/families approach learning in various ways, generally 'child-led' and interest based. In unschooling families, children/youth are supported in following natural courses of learning and interests.
Unschooling often focuses on strengths, passions and interests amongst a variety of environments and without content, levels or time restrictions.
Access some great writing about unschooling:
- We love unschooling. Briannon Lee- Respectfully Connected. Read it here.
- She played: My year learning unschooling- Michelle Sutton. Read it here.
- Unschooling- A collection of posts by Briannon Lee. Read here.
- Unschooling is not unparenting. Sue Wight for the Home Education Network. Read it here.
- Unschooling or Homeschooling. Gail S. Withrow for the Home Education Network. Read it here.
- Radical Unschooling: An entire Lifestyle Shift. Ally Grace- Respectfully Connected. Read it here.
Resources/Groups
Bendigo Unschoolers and Natural Learners- Facebook page can be found here.
Bendigo Unschoolers and Natural learners- Facebook Group can be found here.
Greater Bendigo Homeschoolers- Facebook Group can be found here.
Greater Bendigo Homeschoolers -website can be found here.
Home Education Network Facebook page can be found here.
Castlemaine and Surrounds Home Learners Facebook Group can be found here.
A more extensive list, including some other Home School Groups, can be found here on the Home Education Network (HEN) website.