Effective Homeschool Strategies: Autism (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781475241235)

Rebekah Gibson Richey was raised in Circleville, Ohio. She is the daughter of Bill and Brenda Gibson, successful business owners in Circleville. The Gibsons began home-schooling when Rebekah was in 4th grade. In 1994, when Rebekah was 11, her parents purchased a coffee shop on the north end of Circleville. They named it "Gibson's Not the Same Old Grind". In 1996, Rebekah and Rachel's Tea Room was born (named for Rebekah and her younger sister, Rachel). Rebekah grew up working in the coffee shop and continued home-schooling through high school. In the year 2000, Rebekah graduated from home-schooling and worked at the coffee shop. In the same year, Rebekah started volunteering as a teacher's aide at Atwater Elementary in the Circleville City Schools District. During her two years as a teacher's aide, Rebekah worked mostly with behaviorally challenged kindergarten students. In the spring of 2002, Rebekah entered college at Circleville Bible College (now Ohio Christian University). She majored in early childhood education. She preferred to study special education, but Circleville Bible College did not have a special education program. In the spring of 2004, Rebekah transferred to Cedarville University. Half-way through her first semester, she decided to double major in early childhood education and special education. In the fall of 2006, Rebekah had a field experience at Keifer Alternative School in Springfield. Ohio. She worked in the emotional disturbance unit. She enjoyed her work there thoroughly! When Rebekah graduated the following spring, she had one desire: to work at Keifer Alternative School in the emotional disorder unit. That fall she had her wish. She was hired on at Keifer Alternative School to teach high school. Her first year was a tough year, but she learned a great deal. The following year, she taught middle school at Keifer Alternative School. Then, through a series of events, she transferred to Oesterlen Services for Youth. Oesterlen is a residential facility for troubled teens. For the past few years, Rebekah has been successfully teaching a group of young men at the residential facility. Through Rebekah's journey, both as being home-schooled and as a special education teacher, she has developed a passion for assisting home school families who have children with special needs. Rebekah has worked with a wide variety of disabilities and unique challenges that have granted her the skills she needs to write these informational booklets.