How to homeschool?

[robin09]

I am really thinking about homeschooling DD10. She has aspergers, ocd, adhd.. among others. She is in 4th grade right now, but I'm so frustrated with the school right now, homeschooling seems to be the right fit for her. I just don't know how to go about doing it.

I live in a small town in upstate NY, how do I find groups? Info on homeschooling, the right books? I don't know anything about this and am very scared. I just can't allow my DD to go on the way things are going....

Thanks, Robin

 

[KirstenB]

I don't have any experience with this, but you may want to post on the Community Board. I've seen lots of posts about homeschooling there.

 

[livndisney]

I am really thinking about homeschooling DD10. She has aspergers, ocd, adhd.. among others. She is in 4th grade right now, but I'm so frustrated with the school right now, homeschooling seems to be the right fit for her. I just don't know how to go about doing it.

I live in a small town in upstate NY, how do I find groups? Info on homeschooling, the right books? I don't know anything about this and am very scared. I just can't allow my DD to go on the way things are going....

Thanks, Robin

You can start by googling Homeschooling in NY. It should come up with laws/requirments etc. Also your local school district may have info on their website. Search Yahoo for local homeschool groups in your area. They are the ones who know first hand the "ins and outs" for your area.

There are tons of resources online, some areas even have online school programs.

I goggled: http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/NY/default.asp for the legalities of Homeschooling.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

First I am sorry that you are so frustrated with the school. I know it can be hard.

I have HS for 3 years before DS started public school and I still have to do work when he gets home because he doesn't learn the way they teach in school.

I use ABA a lot because it works for us. I sit down on Sunday and plan out my week and keep a planner for each week. We cover science, math, writing, art, geography and sight words. He is only in K. So each week has a letter assigned to it.

Ex: B, we do our letter booklet, writing the letter B, we cut out and glue down things that start with B, we do an art project about Bats. That is cutting again, pasting and labeling bat parts. We talk about where we would look for bats? We go outside and look for bats at sunset. Math is straight forward with using ABA for "what is it?" 1-10, we practice drawing the numbers and also do basic math with Disney coasters.

It is work but I feel better knowing that DS is getting a quality educations. He goes to public school to learn social skills but I do the academics at home.

You can do but it is work. I suggest you ask the teacher for a copy of her plan for the year. They do have them. Ask what is the end of year goals and then make your plan so that your DD stays on track. Did you know that homeschool kids test out higher?

If you have more questions please feel free to PM me. Good luck with your decision.

 

[bookwormde]

We have considered home schooling when we get frustrated also but we cannot figure out any way to get the social skill, TOM and EF generalized in a pier setting.

bookwormde

 

[sl_underwood]

I am currently homeschooling dd 11 and dd 15. As for groups, check with your local library or childrens museums, science centers, etc. Many homeschool groups are known well at these places.
As for how to homeschool, there are so many ways, you might check out HSLDA for laws, A to Z home's cool, those are just a couple I can think of. If you do a google search for homeschooling you are sure to find a whole lot of information.
As for curriculum, there is a ton of different choices. My dd, 11, uses Math U See, Handwriting without tears, and Time4Learning.com. We supplement as needed for everything else. If you would like to talk more about homeschooling, PM me and I will be happy to try and help.
Lora

 

[robin09]

I want to say thankyou to everyone who has responded. My computer is funky lately and while I can sign on to the Disboards, it immediately comes back and tells me to sign in... so my responses are delayed.

I am very frustrated to say the least. I posted last week about my dd on another post. It was about coming in from recess and "thrusting" her doll into her teachers' eye.

Bookwormde, I value your words immensely, you have helped me out in the past. BUT.. the reason dd10 is in school is to teach social skills. She went into school knowing her colors, numbers, letters and able to read by 5 years old. She has tested the highest in the New York tests.

My problem is she is NOT getting the social skills... In her journal she writes how she likes her friends, but her friends hate her. That her friends like it when she leaves them alone. ... I cried when I read this, called her guidance counselor and discussed it with her. She promised to talk to Jenn. Honestly.. nothing came of it.

Do I really have to send my child to a school where children pull away and don't like her? She is getting older and realizes the distaste now. Do I send her where her teacher punishes her by taking her stuffed doll away for her impulsiveness? Takes away recess because she couldn't cope doing math homework?

Is any of this healthy? I want her socially happy. I have her in girl scouts, swimming, cheerleading. She is in the school chorus and learning to play the flute. NOne of this comes easily, as you can imagine.

Please excuse my writings, I really think I have adhd and aspergers, my thoughts are always scattered, and I'm socially inept too. My words come hard, very hard to explain.

SL Underwood, thankyou for the curriculums. I didn't realize handwriting without tears could be part of schooling. I've used that since Jenn was 3 and having fine motor problems. (she still does)

Livndisney rthankyou for the site, I will be checking it out. I did try to google my area, but there was nothing close. I will check your site out.
Kirsten, thankyou , I didn't realize that the community board talked about homeschooling, I usually just hang out around here .

Minnie... I might PM you if you don't mind. I'm so scared of not teaching what is needed for her. I don't feel smart enough at all.

Anyway, thanks to all of you, it helps that you are there...

 

[bookwormde]

If other children are “pulling away” it is just because curriculum for the generalization of the social skills is not being handled appropriately. I guess from what you have said that the school is other not interested in providing an appropriate education or just have no idea how to do it.

I have been in your shoes, with the situation at the school being the first and the district being the second.

It should not have to be a battle to get an appropriate education but it almost always seems to be at some level.

One thing I have found “wakes” up the resistant members of the team is letting them know that what they are doing (or not doing) is clinically damaging to my child and can cause serious negative manifestation which if ongoing can cause serious long term medical damage to my child. I have only had to use this on a couple of cases but definitely give them the perspective of the potential outcome.

I understand your frustration, even with the progress we have made I still consider home schooling regularly, especially when someone’s lack of knowledge or training is doing injury to my child.

If you move forward with the home schooling option, please keep us informed as to your progress, in the end it is my final option also, after a 10 day notice, if in the end the school can not provide and appropriate education.

bookwormde

 

[KirstenB]

Robin, another thought. I think the poster is LuvBunnies....her son wasn't receiving an appropriate education at his public school. I believe she's the one who hired an attorney and was able to get him into a private school for kids with Aspergers. Because her school district wasn't able to provide him with an appropriate education, they are now paying for this private school. Are there any autism schools near you? Her story was really inspiring...her son is surrounded by other kids like him, and the last she posted, he was doing VERY well there.

BTW, your posts do not sound scattered at ALL!!! You're very articulate. Anyway, the little I've read about homeschooling...it sounds like there are many ways to approach it, like co-ops, where sometimes different parents teach different subjects. I'd rather stick a needle in my eye than try to learn physics well enough for myself, let alone teach it, so I know what you mean by not feeling smart enough to teach certain subjects!!

 

[dyna]

IF my totally BLIND friend could home school her jr high boy with ADHD OCD an a few others thown in for measure anyone can. She was able to obtain books for next to nothing, did not use library or study groups etc totally did this at home on her own.

HOW did she grade papers son read off the answers when doing reading english science history etc he read the assignment orally to her an did the same when she was checking his work.

Friend said she learned more in the 2 yrs she home schooled son than she did in 12 yrs of school....

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

Two of my children have some special needs(ADHD/OCD/CAPD) and I homeschool them. It can be done, but I'll have to admit it's not always easy. I recommend contacting HSLDA if you do decide to homeschool because they have personnel who can help you locate specialists etc in your area. They also have a section on their website about homeschooling special needs children. There is also a yahoo support group based out of North Carolina, GIFTSNC, that is for people who homeschool their special needs children. GIFTSNC also hosts a conference every year which is absolutely incredible. If you get a chance you could take a look at Diane Craft's website as she has some special needs resources/material designed specifically for those homeschooling. HTH!

 

[Janet Hill]

I want to say thankyou to everyone who has responded. My computer is funky lately and while I can sign on to the Disboards, it immediately comes back and tells me to sign in... so my responses are delayed.

I am very frustrated to say the least. I posted last week about my dd on another post. It was about coming in from recess and "thrusting" her doll into her teachers' eye.

Bookwormde, I value your words immensely, you have helped me out in the past. BUT.. the reason dd10 is in school is to teach social skills. She went into school knowing her colors, numbers, letters and able to read by 5 years old. She has tested the highest in the New York tests.

My problem is she is NOT getting the social skills... In her journal she writes how she likes her friends, but her friends hate her. That her friends like it when she leaves them alone. ... I cried when I read this, called her guidance counselor and discussed it with her. She promised to talk to Jenn. Honestly.. nothing came of it.

Do I really have to send my child to a school where children pull away and don't like her? She is getting older and realizes the distaste now. Do I send her where her teacher punishes her by taking her stuffed doll away for her impulsiveness? Takes away recess because she couldn't cope doing math homework?

Is any of this healthy? I want her socially happy. I have her in girl scouts, swimming, cheerleading. She is in the school chorus and learning to play the flute. NOne of this comes easily, as you can imagine.

Please excuse my writings, I really think I have adhd and aspergers, my thoughts are always scattered, and I'm socially inept too. My words come hard, very hard to explain.

SL Underwood, thankyou for the curriculums. I didn't realize handwriting without tears could be part of schooling. I've used that since Jenn was 3 and having fine motor problems. (she still does)

Livndisney rthankyou for the site, I will be checking it out. I did try to google my area, but there was nothing close. I will check your site out.
Kirsten, thankyou , I didn't realize that the community board talked about homeschooling, I usually just hang out around here .

Minnie... I might PM you if you don't mind. I'm so scared of not teaching what is needed for her. I don't feel smart enough at all.

Anyway, thanks to all of you, it helps that you are there...

Going through this right now with my son (also Aspergers and ADHD and just turned 11). We are in the process of taking him out of school and homeschooling him as well. I've begun to start the process of looking into curiculum (sp?). Right now I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all.

 

[robin09]

I'm still searching for answers, and I am here, but there seems to be issues between my computer and the Disboards. It allows me to sign in, but then it goes back and asks for user names. So if I don't respond, please forgive me!

Had a good day in school yesterday, it was a relief. She hadn't been back since thursday. She was refusing to go yesterday, but we got her to school . I really need to step up and make a decision and go from there. I have DD's case worker looking for info for me also. She also agrees that homeschooling will be a better place for her.

I've been looking for groups and can't seem to find any close enough to me. Driving an hour through mountains and snow just doesn't seem to agree with me! Anyway, taking Jenn to the Strong museum this weekend in Rochester, and seeing the Big Cheese!

Are there any homeschool groups online?.. Janet Good luck, it seems as our kids get older, it gets harder for them to blend in.. KWIM?

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

I'm still searching for answers, and I am here, but there seems to be issues between my computer and the Disboards. It allows me to sign in, but then it goes back and asks for user names. So if I don't respond, please forgive me!

Had a good day in school yesterday, it was a relief. She hadn't been back since thursday. She was refusing to go yesterday, but we got her to school . I really need to step up and make a decision and go from there. I have DD's case worker looking for info for me also. She also agrees that homeschooling will be a better place for her.

I've been looking for groups and can't seem to find any close enough to me. Driving an hour through mountains and snow just doesn't seem to agree with me! Anyway, taking Jenn to the Strong museum this weekend in Rochester, and seeing the Big Cheese!

Are there any homeschool groups online?.. Janet Good luck, it seems as our kids get older, it gets harder for them to blend in.. KWIM?

Robin,

GIFTSNC is a yahoo online support group for those homeschooling their special needs children. The group is formed by those primarily living in North Carolina, however there are people all over the country who participate in the group. I encourage you to check them out.

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

http://www.giftsnc.com/

Erika

 

[robin09]

Hi Erika,

Thankyou, I put in my request to join the group!

Robin,

GIFTSNC is a yahoo online support group for those homeschooling their special needs children. The group is formed by those primarily living in North Carolina, however there are people all over the country who participate in the group. I encourage you to check them out.

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

http://www.giftsnc.com/

Erika

 

[daisyduck123]

My computer is funky lately and while I can sign on to the Disboards, it immediately comes back and tells me to sign in...

Yesterday that happened to me for about 1/2 the day too.

It was driving me crazy!

 

[koolaidmoms]

I live in a small town in upstate NY, how do I find groups? Info on homeschooling, the right books? I don't know anything about this and am very scared. I just can't allow my DD to go on the way things are going....

Thanks, Robin

My DS is 5 with aspergers. While he is in traditional school, I have been researching home schooling for over a year for his older sister (8) and him for possible future. We are in Rochester. There is an online home schooling yahoo group based Monroe County, "Simply Homeschooling". Many of these homeschoolers have children that are "special needs", gifted etc. We have found that very useful and caters to all homeschoolers regardless of belief or home schooling style. There is also LEAH (Loving Education at Home) for people looking for a christian base group (it is national or international).

Good Luck!

 

[robin09]

My DS is 5 with aspergers. While he is in traditional school, I have been researching home schooling for over a year for his older sister (8) and him for possible future. We are in Rochester. There is an online home schooling yahoo group based Monroe County, "Simply Homeschooling". Many of these homeschoolers have children that are "special needs", gifted etc. We have found that very useful and caters to all homeschoolers regardless of belief or home schooling style. There is also LEAH (Loving Education at Home) for people looking for a christian base group (it is national or international).

Good Luck!

I was in Rochester 2 weeks ago for the Disney show at the Strong Museum! It was about a 3 1/2 to 4 hour drive each way. I will check out the yahoo group though, so thankyou! DD10 went to school Monday this week and had a really bad day, and I kept her home for tuesday and weds. I want to homeschool, but so afraid to.... between a rock and a hard place right now. Thanks for the info! Happy Thanksgiving!