What should a parent know about homeschooling a child with a learning disablility/behavior disorder/ADHD, etc?

Question

Two students where I teach have explored this possibility so far this year. One chose to, one didn't. I definitely believe it is the family's perrogative to choose, but if one of my own student's family explores it, I want to be able to give them accurate pros/cons or helpful resources. Those of you who are doing it--is it working for you? What have you learned along the way? What do you wish you knew when you started?

Answer 1

You'd probably be able to find more explicit information by locating groups designed for homeschooling kids with those issues.

Yahoo Groups will have numerous groups. Just a sample:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homeschool...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AOwithLDKi...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ADHD_Homes...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HS-Plus/

I have to commend you for actually wanting to help these parents make a decision! So many people automatically dismiss homeschooling for these kids, but so many parents have seen how it can be beneficial for many of them.

Answer 2

Hi. I have a 10 year old daughter with ADD and a 13 year old son with ADHD. My daughter is now in 4th and my son is in 7th. My daughter was being left behind in school when she was in the 2nd and 3rd grade. They pushed her on to 3rd grade, even though she wasn't ready yet. In 3rd grade we started to notice she was having major issues with learning and also she was also diagnosed with dyslexia. So I pulled her out of school and then the next year she repeated 3rd grade. My son I pulled out in 5th grade because he was in trouble every day but made straight A's. I worked at the school and used to dodge his teacher because I was sick of hearing how horrible a kid he was in class. Now, telling you that .... my children both did 360's when we pulled them out. My son no longer was problematic and my daughter excelled at everything she tried to do. One of the biggest pros I have found is that my daughter if she needs 2 weeks or a month on how to multiply then we spend a month on it but in public school the teachers are required to keep moving on. Teachers have to teach so many different levels of children, from children that don't get something to children that already have achieved a skill  before the skill is even taught. My children also have succeeded because we don't have the 8-3pm schedule. They are given a list of what to do each day and when they are done...they are done. We get up in the mornings and school starts about 9 but they take breaks when they need it or get flustered then move on when they are ready. We usually do about 2-3 hours of school work a day. The social part is easy for us because my children are involved in so many different things in our community.....there is 4H, youth sports, church, and many clubs to join.

I hope this helps. Also I know many parents don't want to do it BUT counseling counseling counseling. My kids used to hate going but now love it because it gives them someone to talk to. You really have to find someone that works for you though. In the past I also gave each of my kids a spiral notebook and told them that when something was bothering them to write it down. They could write "I hate my mom" in there and it was ok. This helped alot with my son who was going through hormonal issues and getting frustrated easily because it was HIS notebook that I never opened. When he was done with it...he just threw it away.

Good luck to you. I'm glad that as an educator you are trying to familiarize yourself with issues that effect the children in your class. That says lots about you!

Answer 3

As a child psycholgist and a homeschooling mom, I have found that children with disabilities fair much better in a homeschool situation.  The main reason is that they can move at their own pace.  They dont have to get it in one day and then move on.  They also can have a curriculum tailored to meet their needs and a schedule that fits them too.  We homeschool our kids and many were adopted and have various disabilities,  ADHD, RAD, ODD, OCD, just to name a few.  For us, homeschooling eliminated many of the behavioral problems, strengthened our relationship with the child, and inspired the child to enjoy learning.  Probably the biggest mistake I made when we began was trying to teach the way the public school did.  I started to listen to my kids, learn what worked for each of them and tune into their learning styles.  I think its wonderful that you want to help your students who are choosing this path.  Our greatest help came from our local homeschooling community. I would suggest you compile a list of homeschool groups in your area and when a family mentions homeschooling give them the list so that they can explore their options fully.

Answer 4

What anyone should know....that homeschooling a child with a disability is just like homeschooling any other child. You look at their deficits, or what they need to learn, and you teach it. If that means you go slower, fine. If you need to go faster, or move around, great. Homeschooling is all about filling the needs of the family in which it is taking place.

It's working wonderfully for us, I have two kids with diagnosis, one with aspergers and one with severe autism. I have several with no diagnosis, there's no point if they are not in public school with being dx'ed with hyperactive disorder or social anxiety disorder.

I've learned best that all people are the same, they all want the best, they all try their best, they all need love and acceptance where they are at. I wish I had known that before my disabled children were born. I was a prig. ;-)

Go online to the homeschool free newsletter, they have a product called "curriculum in a box". It is samples of dozens of curriculla, that is the best way to find which way to teach the child. Good luck and thanks for caring so much about your students.

Answer 5

Teachers like you are rare!  So wonderful to see you trying to help.

I have a daughter with ADHD, a gifted daughter and a son with Aspergers.   We chose to start homeschooling 5 years ago and we've never regretted that decision.    It allowed my AS son to grow and mature without the stressors of school.  Now he is growing into a 'mostly' responsible, social, functioning teenager.  When he left school he was withdrawn, hated the world, himself and couldn't talk to another child.  

My daughter with ADHD also has severe dyslexia.   A regular school setting would have been very difficult for her to deal with.  Now in grade 4 she is reading at a grade 1/low grade 2 level.  While teachers would try to help, children are cruel.   Here at home she can learn at her pace.  

www.linguisystems.com has been the best for resources for us.  I love their materials!!

As for cons - I do get tired.  It's great for my kids but I need a break once in a while.  My husband works long hours but when he is at home, I take that chance to disappear and go shopping, out with friends, etc.  I love my kids very much but teaching 2 sp needs kids and keeping a gifted child challenged at the same time is exhausting!  *grin*