AN ELSECAR mum whose children have autism disorders has launched a home schooling group - thought to be the first of its kind in the Barnsley area.
Amanda Whiting, 38, came up with the idea for the 'Hoyland Home Education Group' after her son Nathan, 13, was formally excluded in April for disruptive behaviour from Kirk Balk Community College.
Mrs Whiting and her husband Steven, 39, of Welland Crescent, appealed the exclusion because they believe Nathan's difficulties stem from an autistic disorder.
Nathan has yet to be formally diagnosed but his brother Joshua, 16, is autistic and their two other siblings Mark, 17, and Tony, 11, have Asperger's syndrome..Now Mr and Mrs Whiting, who moved to Elsecar from Bridlington in November last year, are educating Joshua and Nathan at home. Mark is studying IT at Barnsley College and Tony, 11, is at Kirk Balk.
She said: "Children with autistic disorders learn in their own way. They do not cope well with exam pressure, changing teachers and changing classrooms. Schools do not spend enough time finding out each child's aptitudes."
Now Mrs Whiting is inviting parents to join the Hoyland Home Education Group and has put up posters in and around Hoyland.
The group offers social meetings, joint activities and outings for those who home educate key stage three and four in Hoyland, Jump and Elsecar.
A Barnsley Council spokesman said parents had the right by law to home educate their children.
The spokesman added: "It is important that parents or legal guardians of the child understand the implications and responsibilities of home educating – specifically, that the responsibility of education rests with them and there will be no work or tuition provided by the local authority."
