Homeschooling a kindergartener with ADHD

Hi, I would love to hear from another parent who is home schooling his/her special needs student. We have not found the right school for her, pubic or private and we are now thinking that the only way to give her education is to home school her. We both work full-time so it would be a major adjustment to our lives. I would to talk to someone who gone though the steps of transitioning to home schooling. Also, is it possible for a child from one family to join another family in the home schooling process? I have not check into all the regulations about home schooling yet. This idea just came to us about 3 days ago. Thank you for any guidance in this matter.

I just wanted to say also that I admire your effort to find what works for you both. I don't have a kid with special needs, but one of my sons fits the ''spirited child'' (like in the book by Kurcinka) and I knew that, even if I wasn't already homeschooling, a public kindergarten was no place for him. Time for transitions and focus, lots of physical activities, and attention to his perceptiveness are what he needed. He is smart, engaging, social, and I know that if we (and/or he) ever decides to make a different choice and go to school, that these formative years we worked with him and who he is will be the foundation of his success. Sam

Kindergarten is a great time to start homeschooling. Local homeschool groups are flooded each year with K kids so it is the ideal time to form a community.

There are so many kids with special needs in the homeschooling world. Go to a Home Grown Kids or AOHL (Alameda Oakland Home Learners) parkday (both are googleable) or SFBay Area Unschoolers if you are thinking of unschooling.

Homeschooling can work great for ADHD kids--as long as you let go of a school at home vision. I think that the goals of making it ideal for your son and wanting to reintegrate can conflict, but they needn't.

I think the best way to go with special needs kids is to file a private school affidavit and do it your way. We listen to loads of books on tape in the car, watch every David Attenborough video, go on lots of field trips, hikes and nature programs. There is little learning that has to come in the form of kid sitting at desk. And most of that can wait till later.

Thinking about homeschooling a 4th grader with Asperger's

Hello, I am looking for families who are homeschooling children due to PDD/Aspergers/High Functioning Autism issues. Is there anyone on the lists who is homeschooling who might be willing to talk with me? I am trying to decide whether or not to homeschool a fourth grader with Aspergers who is overwhelmed by regular classes. Thank you. looking for homeschool help

First 4th grade is hard I think a ''typical'' school and class is overwhelming for many ASD kids in so many ways, overstimulating, many transitions, more teaching on hard subjects -- inference, main point and context. Recess is a nightmare. So home schooling is an option. There are not many school programs that can ''scaffold'' these youth and help them practice social skills and flexiable learning .

I do think it helpful and important for ASD youth to get supportive practise with social sitaitiona So my bias is if possible a school.First I believe -do no ''harm''. So if a school is overwhelming a child,there has to be a better/positive expereince for the child. I wanted to give you another option.There is another wonderful school in Alameda, Children's Learning Center. C.L.C. has 2 campuses, one for grade school and the other for middle school and high school. C.L.C. provides are a small, warm, school environment with a thoughtful sensitive behavioral system, which encourages/supports students to grow and stretch. The classes are very small. The teacher's are amazing. The staff stays for years and years.It isa supportive learning environment.There are spot on for academics. They work on supporting and learning social thinking.The info is: Children's Learning Center, 1910 Central Avenue, Alameda, CA. 94501, phone 510-769-7100From a parent of a youth at CLC, it wasgreat. She has grown socially and academically. She is less shy and more confident. If you are interested,You need an IEP, and documentation in the IEP that your child needs- a small structured setting with a high staff to student ratio in order ''to learn''. You may want your child evaluated for speech pragmatic issues.They have excelllent training in teaching social thinking which is seen as breaking down learing social cues into digestive cognitivelessons ASD kids can understand and use. What ever you decide you are asking great questions Other good resources include the Strawberry Canyon Blue Camp which has a great social skills program in the summer.Wishing you the best in your search!!! a parent sharing in...

I am a teacher and come from a very long line of them. I have dealt with my fair share of special needs children. I am currently trying to go back to school to get a degree in special needs. And as far as homeschooling, many of my friends growing up were homeschooled, many of my friends now homeschool there children, and I am looking forward to homeschooling my children some day.

Having a child with special needs is very changing, as I am sure you know. Homeschooling is also very challenging (As a teacher just the thought of doing it is even a bit intimidating to me at times). However, I think it is very helpful to both the children and parent. (Especially if the little one has any sort of special needs) The majority of homeschoolers I know have excelled because of being homeschooled.

But it can be challenging. As a teacher I know all too well that children can act differently in school then they do at home. (They tend to behave better at school) Which is I believe one of the main things you need to guard against when homeschooling. The other 2 things are not slacking off in what/how much is taught and combating against the lack of anti- socialness that can happen. (For both you and the children.) And with a child with ASD you need to help teach them how to socialize even more. (Which I believe a small, tight knit, homeschooling group would help.)

One of the best ways to combat those things is to be actively involved in a homeschooling group. (Ideally find a group that has at least on other ASD child) It might take awhile to find the right group for you, but don't give up. You should also find teaching programs and techniques especially make for ASD children.

I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT! And I believe it will be helpful for your child because of the one on one attention, instead of getting lost in the special needs department of whatever school district. GOOD LUCK, you're in my prayers! Katie