Alfred Said:

Fathers rights in Wis.?

We Answered:

If they are still married, how is he paying support? Are they legally separated? His first action needs to be to get the divorce. Then he can sue for custody. The problem is him being in the military. The best move would be for you two to get married if that was in your plans anyhow. Because courts do not like to give children to the military member. Too many absences.

He has to prove that she is unfit. Sending them in dirty clothes is not enough. Not taking them to doctor's appts is not good but that is something she can correct quickly. They could mandate parenting classes for her and that would help some of this situation.

His biggest obstacle will be that he is in the military and unmarried. It's a huge one. I hate to even say it like this but could you marry him even if you weren't planning on it yet? Because that would increase his chances so much. There would be someone to care for the children when he is gone. And then it would be hard for her to change the custody.

But...WI is historically a state where the mother usually gets custody unless something big is going on. He needs all the documentation he can get. If he can hire a private investigator, that will help immensely. Borrow from family if he has to. He needs to show as many things negative about her as possible. For example, if one child has asthma now, do any of the people in this trailer smoke? Alone, that won't make a huge impact but those are the kinds of things that add up to the big picture.

Then he can also ask the court for a guardian ad litem (lawyer for the kids). The guardian will investigate and most likely order exams for both parents. Psych exams will be one. She will be unable to hide her emotional problems even if she tries.

That is a very difficult situation and I really hope it has a good outcome.

Leslie Said:

Does my son have Autism?

We Answered:

Dont be afraid of a diagnosis. Calling your son's problem a name will not make it worse or better. Autism is a spectrum with a very mild form of problem to severe forms. Fortunately autistic children get better as the grow old and never get worse. It is wrong to comment whether your son is having autism or not. It is not advisable to have your own conclusion either from what you read from books and internet. It needs a lot of experience and practical knowledge for diagnosis childhood behavioral disorders. Dont hesitate to take him to a psychiatrist of clinical psychologist

Bruce Said:

Is it true California is making the rules a lot stricter for homeschooling parents & parents of kindergartners?

We Answered:

What a lot of utter nonsense.

Here are the laws for homeschooling in California: http://www.homefires.com/ca_style.asp Please read it - you will find that there are multiple ways to homeschool in California.

When we began over four years ago, we filed a Private School Affidavit, which we refile each year in October. Period. Legally, our home is a legitimate as any other private school

You also need to find your local homeschool support group, which you can do through the website above.

Every year, new parents join our homeschool park group, and they have heard the same kinds of things you've heard. You need support. In a year, you'll laugh at what you were told.

Keep your daughter home, and raise her the way you feel is right.

All the best.

Andre Said:

I'm not good at science, would a major in communicative disorders/speech pathology be too hard?

We Answered:

I am currently a graduate student in communication disorders and for the most part it's not necessary to be good at "science." HOWEVER, you need to consider the fact that unless your goal is to be a speech implementer (also know as a SLP-A) then you will need to get a masters degree as a minimum in order to get your CCC's.

Check out ASHA's website at www.asha.org to learn more before you make your decision.

Good minors: psychology, family studies, counseling, education, a foreign language. I would go for either a counseling background or a foreign language background if I were you. But just FYI, I didn't even have a minor. I was one class short of a minor in psychology, but didn't want to take the last course that I would need for the official minor because it was irrelevant for me.