I am really bummed out here. It is a step up with the autism and I guess I just wasn't prepared for it. I had been doing all this research on PDD-NOS, which is less server than autism. UGG! Now how do I do LHFHG with him? I was planning on doing it at half-pace with him, but worry now if I will be able to do all he needs. I don't even know where to start! The darn school has questioned me so much this past year with my older children and homeschooling I am now questioning if I can do this with my son who is autistic! I should not let this doubt bother me because in my heart I still feel that homeschooling is the best thing, but the dr. also recommended that I have him go to ps for the first two years and then home school if I still feel like we want to. I don't want to send him at all! But like before wonder if I can do this now and if I will be doing him a disservice by not sending him? I was planning on having him go to speech therapy and OT as our insurance will cover that, but I have no idea how to handle the special ed. and all their special ways they work with kids. I never went to college. I am kind of freaking out here. Can I really do this? I have an older child ,who is 9, with a learning disability in reading and writing, one that 7 and is doing just fine with school, then my son, almost 6, who is autistic, a four year old, two year old and a 3 1/2 month old. How do I home school all of them and give them the time and attention they need but still care for the others to and have some time for myself? Oh I just don't know! Any one else have an autistic child? I should mention he has high functioning autism and each kid is different no two are the same each makes it harder for me in research because not one method will work for all kids with autism. So I really don't wow where to start. Sorry if I seem all over the place but I am trying to nurse one ,get the others to do their chores and type at the same time and forget what I am doing sometimes! 
Sheila mom to six amazing kids!
Just as a mom with a special needs child that took on the ps system and I mean literally my picture is probably still a dart board in the teachers lounge, I have found that my daughters needs are best met at home. In general what you have said really says it all. With 8 plus kids to deal with they do not have the time to decipher how your child learns best in the ps setting. 
Now if your child needs OT and Speech go for it. Private care is the best you will get and your insurance covers it. In ps what we found is either your child is mainstreamed with help now and then having the special ed teacher in the classes and there are not enough of them to have it work this way or they are stuck in a class with 8 other special needs children all with different needs. They do not have the resources or the time to customize something for your child's specific needs. I really want to encourage you that if you can get to the emotional state where you can be confident that God gave you the children He meant to when He called you to homeschool and so therefore He will equip you and carry you through, then proceed as planned. The only difference is now you have knowledge that can help. Beyond that it is a lot of trial and error with core subjects where they stumble like math and LA, prayer, and determination. 
When you find OT and Speech people and I would think you also might get PT as well interview them and make sure that they know you hs and they need to be supportive of that. As far as HOD goes go at the pace you think is best require of him what challenges but does not frustrate and focus heavy on whatever his issues are as far as learning delays or focus issues. Make sure he gets the core things writing, reading and math and HOD is your ace in the hole to cover the rest. Just let him enjoy that. As far as giving your kids enough attention subtract 9 hours from your day you have now to that add about 2-3 hours of homework because with a special needs kid and six in general it will be that eventually and then ask yourself what kind of quality time you spend and attention you can give your child then add to that the frustration of having no idea what was taught in school and what they are wanting from the dittos they send home and see what quality time you have left. If you feel in your heart that hsing is the way to go that is your call from God. Don't let fear stop you! Rest in Him! The One Who calls is also faithful to equip. 
] and its all wothwhile .