the only [sports] that he is really interested in are things that his mother is afraid will just add to the "fears" of the school...ie: karate and fencing.
Ah, things that require both coordination and brainpower. Suggestions:
Karate: see if there is a children's class in capoeira, which is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that turned into a dance form. Or at least go where your son can see something like capoeira and hang out with people who know about it.
Fencing: for now, how about buying a pair of Boffers - those foam-rubber swords - and finding someone who knows a few actual fencing moves?
Last but not least: children have been homeschooled for less. Someone like your kid, who has definite interests, social skills that are real yet out of the ordinary, and is curious about all kinds of things, is likely to acquire a great education while having a great time. My kids and I did, for about ten years. They developed into a self-taught performance artist/communard, and an aspiring video game designer.
- What is Unschooling?
- Jon Shemitz's Homeschool Resources Page
- Grown Without Schooling: Ten grown homeschoolers explore the lasting influence of home education
- Family Unschoolers Network
There's more, but now I'm being pushy.
gently feral