Logan Learning Math Homeschool Boy vs. Public School Autistic ADHD Reject

[TwillightSparkle]

D'aww.

Your sons cute

C:

[Anglynn74]

also please let me know how homeschooling has gone for your child. My only concerns are the socializing aspect since the child isn't around other kids much, my son is an only child so I'm concerned about his skills in socializing w/ other kids, aside from that I know I can educate him just as well as the school, I'm starting to think the only reason I put him in mainstream school was to socialize him w/ others but I'm this close to taking him out of his school & bringing him home.

[Anglynn74]

I am considering homeschooling my soon to be 6 yr old but not sure yet. He has been in school only 2 mo. & they are having issues w/ him crying in class to where they have to remove him from class, they want to meet w/ us next week about it & I feel they're going to go the diagnosis route w/ add or something like that which I don't feel he has any of that. If they do say they feel he has something I'm ready to homeschool instead of medicating, he's fine at home but at school he's different

[frootbat31]

I try to incorporate physical activity to teach/learn. My son supposedly has ADD and having hands-on, physical acitviy. It makes a difference.

Your boy is so cute. Love the way he says 'brain. Gotta love that enthusiastic.

[91noslenjc]

He is so adorable...



[flamed65]

lol

[NeKishaRowe]

Oh my goodness, this is my son, too. My son is 6 and we are talking to his pediatrician this Monday. My son hums, taps, get up constantly, sings, stares out the window, plays with his fingers or lips, kicks his legs, makes animal noises, the things his does are endless! It is a strain on the family since we homeschool and have three other children 4 and under. I would never send him to public school. Where we are, I am sure he would be in the 'special class'...he has 0 problems academically

[JohanBoo88]

I went to private school till 5th gr(i started prek at 3) there were a lot of hyperactive kids in class but they all had very good grades and were NEVER rejected. I don't understand how teachers decide to give up on this kids without even getting to know them 1st. I've always hated that in public schools they just don't give a damn about students, & it's sad to see. On a private school a teacher wouldn't dare to give up on a kid. Your son looks like a smart boy and I hope he's doing great!!

[lmchisolm1]

Both of my children struggle in math at school. I am doing everything that I can to advocate for my kids but its hard where I live. I wish there were more mechanisms in place that assist children with other family situations and barriers that prevent children them from succeeding in school. We do not have a car and have not had one for 5 years now. My youngest daughter has ADHD and asthma and she misses alot of class time due to my inability to get her to school if she misses the bus.

[KristieSue]

@lmchisolm1 Have you thought about home education? Check into the laws in your state and see what it would take. I find that my son learns much better in a controlled environment and even at home it's hard to provide the right atmosphere for him all the time. I can't imagine how that could be possible in a public education situation. They'd have to lock him in a closet... Oh wait... I think they're already doing that. I prefer him to stay home.

[Konform2zoidberg]

@KristieSue One of her problems, I noticed, is the lack of a car. Poverty can be a major impediment to homeschooling. If parents each have to work A JOB, and I emphasize the singular, because even two parent households may have to hold multiple jobs. Her employment situation may not be conducive to effective homeschooling.

The most important thing is that the parents actually care, which it looks like she does. So Imchisolm1 will probably be okay.

Just food for thought I guess

'

:/

,

[alix1440]

Logan reminds me of my own son--also ASD/ADHD. He's 7, and recently began homeschooling when he tried to run away from school and screamed every morning when we took him. He learned nothing in 1st grade because it took every ounce of his energy to sit still and be quiet. I watched him in class sitting like a zombie and learning absolutely nothing. Now he has an aversion to math & counting. He says he never wants to go back to public school.

[KristieSue]

@alix1440 There is a serious problem with our public schools right now. There are so many children with the issue's Logan and your son have. The system is doing nothing to address this. These children CAN'T learn in that system. You should give your son some time to heal from the trauma he's gone through. Do some fun learning. Get involved in a local homeschool group for support and friendship. God Bless You & Your Family :)

[zeegirl84]

@KristieSue Do the homeschool programs out there give tips on how to actually present the material to your child. Or does it just provide the information. My son has been having problems in school since kindergarten, now in second grade, I am seriously considering homeschooling him. . I'm just worried because I want my son to at least be in sync with what is in the school and next year they learn long division, I have no idea how to teach it to a kid.

[KristieSue]

@zeegirl84 There are tons and tons of homeschool materials. The book we're using for reading give's me the exact words to say to teach them. There are even programs on DVD available where a teacher actually instructs the child. Do some research, it's not as hard as you think with all the options available.

[TheBarby82]

@KristieSue 

[lisagrayz]

Oh my goodness- this is my son in school. He hums to himself, and he gets written up for it. My son has been diagnosed ADHD/COD since kindergarten, and I think it's wrong how he gets into trouble for talking or being out of his seat, when it's part of the disorder. Yet the Principle tells me that my son has a negative additude because I have "made him confused" about the school. That since I veiw the school as "crap" he does too. Yet I didnt think that untill the teacher told my son, I do h work

[instagasm]

my almost 7 year old has adhd,autism and a laundry list of other things. my 2 1/2 year old is being evaluated for autism/adhd as well. i cant stand the public school system. we have been fighting from day one. BUT my daughter has an IEP,OT,socialization and a lot of other help she would not get if i home schooled.lebel or no label my children are still adhd/autistic etc....i find that the label helps a ton.

[try2bsweet88]

Little boys are amazing! I work with ADHD boys on a regular basis. They are VERY high energy, honestly cannot sit still no matter what you try to do, but are absolutely BRILLIANT when allowed to do things at their own pace. My little one falls asleep when teachers try to make him sit long enough for a lesson. When he is allowed to wiggle, squirm, make funny faces, and just be silly. he can learn any fact you teach him! I have no interest in public schools but at 6 he can multiply up to his 10s!

[reggieboy04]

What a cute little guy; made me smile. I have decided to begin homeschooling my five - year - old son in September. I was just wondering what, if any, extracurricular activities your son does?

[JPhands]

But in the real world, he would be labeled Autistic or ADHD. I'm not saying a 6 year old should have to go through being labeled that, but at the same time, thats how the world works.

[pattycake101ful]

easy work lol but the little boy was like i know it in my bwain lol it was so cute when he said that but its actually brain haha lol

[nadanwil]

I think it is awesome what you are doing and I commend you being so involved with your son. Studies show that one on one education is the best and that is what you are giving him. Public Education is SO overrated!!!!

[kali5505]

I applaude you for taking the steps to help protect and teach your child. My 6 year old has also been diagnosed mild autistic/ADHD...and his first year in public school has been a nightmare. He is a sweet child who has been bullied and teased, and we are veiwed as uncooperative parents because we won't consider meds for him. Watching your child was like watching mine, and I am strongly considering homeschooling him (at least through elementary school). I am overwhelmed as to where to begin.

[KristieSue]

Homeschooling is easier than most people think. I would suggest you start by seeking out other homeschooling families in your area. Through group support you can do better for your son than what the public schools are doing. Your sweet son will blossom under your loving care. Don't hesitate to pull him out of the nightmare he faces in the public schools. You can do it! :)

[buttfuzz45]

I'm 11 and have a 188 I.Q.

I have severe ADHD.

And I attend public school with insolents (people that suffer horribly from insolence in the 'you're a nerd' department)

Yeah, life sucks.

I've learned half the AP Calculus mathbook, yet my teachers tell me to show work. Guess what? 24 x 17 is 408. Do I need to spend an addition sixteen seconds a problem showing work? (Yes, I did that in my head)

Alas, I understand.

[KristieSue]

Do a bit of research on homeschooling in your area and present that to your parents. Being free to develop at your own pace and seek your own interests in education is a huge plus for homeschoolers.

[ninahdee]

@ Trillianz - you've stated several times that she was his parent and likely knows best. Give it a rest! Now you're just being belligerent and disrespectful.

@Kristie - thank you for not allowing P.S. to toss your son aside. That's what good parents do, Trillianz - protect their children.

[KristieSue]

What really amazes me is the people leaving comments that if my son went to public school he wouldn't be weird... I don't find Logan weird and I'm pretty sure those leaving the comments are judging homeschoolers in general by calling Logan weird. They also want to ignore the fact that we actually tried public school first. We knew in 6 months how much value they placed in Logan's education so we brought him home to thrive :)

[faro0485]

/watch?v=pkht3noIK0E

Imagine if I was told to do one more sit ups after I couldn't do any more. I'd probably pull a muscle, I guess it's the same for one's brain.

[skywalker428]

You should take him to public school so he could learn to be funny with his ADHD rather then being weird about it. no offence. My best friend went to public school and he had ADHD and he's my best friend.

[KristieSue]

I'm sorry you think he's weird but he is only himself. We don't think he's weird and all his friends think he's a pretty funny guy. When he was in public school they made him and outsider and wouldn't let him interact with the other children. We have tried public school and find that homeschooling is a healthier, happier environment for him. Thanks for being respectful with your comment. :)

[Trillianz]

@KristieSue You need to put him in a public school that has a good SEN department. I'm a LSA for SEN children and you're doing him no favours in denying him the opportunity to broaden his knowledge and personality, whether he has autism or not.

[KristieSue]

You don't know us, you don't know Logan, and you don't know our rural school district. Public school is not always the best option. Explain to me how we are keeping him from "broadening his knowledge and personality." He has more options as a homeschooler. He is free to pursue his interests and passions to a much larger extent than if he were cooped up in a public school classroom and made to do what someone else chooses for him. Your way would seem the more narrow minded option to me.

[Trillianz]

@KristieSue You're his parents and therefore what you believe is best, is what's going to happen for him. I can only give you my opinion. I believe you're the one segregating him because of his autism, rather then other people. You believe he will be treated badly and therefore refuse to put him in that situation. I work with a autistic boy who was home schooled during primary years, then put in public school. He has progressed so much and has a permanent LSA. He's treated differently, not badly

[KristieSue]

Logan attended public school and within six months was segregated from the other children by his teachers. He became depressed and avoided all social contact with other children because he associated them with the segregation he experienced in public school. We don't segregate. Homeschooling isn't a club you join to avoid reality. It is reality for us and has helped our family. Logan has tried public school and I'm thankful we rescued him before more damage could be done.

[Trillianz]

@KristieSue Like i said before, you're his parents and you'll likely know best, but don't believe that all public schools are the same. We have a great SEN department, whereas local schools do not even have a dedicated SEN department or LSA's. You could research local schools and find one that has experience with autistic children. Autistic people find it very hard to socialise anyway. Home schooling them is social suicide. Just because their autistic, doesn't mean they can't have friends etc.

[KristieSue]

I respect everyone's right to their own opinion but for you to say homeschooling is social suicide is judging without facts.  We regularly attend 4H meetings, Co-op classes, contra dances, game nights, birthday parties, play dates, church and tons of other miscellaneous events in our area. Homeschooling itself is not social suicide, add sheltering and never leaving home and yes probably but that does not fit what we do. And there is ONE public school in our district and we've tried it.

[Trillianz]

@KristieSue That is all well and good now, but what about when Logan is a teenager. Are game nights, birthday parties and play dates still going to be his idea of socialising? As for there being one public school in your distract, that's entirely different from my experience as I live in London (UK) where there's public schools every mile or two. I just believe that he should be in a public school, no matter what you have to do. He needs to learn things you cannot teach him at home.

[KristieSue]

There is a whole community of homeschooling families with children of all ages. The homeschooled teenagers I meet at these events are polite, respectful well behaved kids. It's a huge difference from many public schooled teenagers I know. Not all but most. You do what's right for your kids but as far as mine are concerned you're wrong.

[Trillianz]

@KristieSue You're stereotyping teenagers by what you've heard. There's 1654 pupils in the school I work in, and 99% of those are great kids. You sound to me like you base everything on what you're told/the news/keeping you son safe now, rather then giving your son a fare chance in his life. You've labelled him 'weird'. no one else, by doing what you're doing to him. As for doing right by my kids, I'm 19 and therefore have no kids, despite the stereotypes you might have heard about 19 year olds.

[KristieSue]

Wow... umm if you read my comment I based my views on EXPERIENCE. I am around homeschooled kids and public schooled kids on a regular basis. You are judging me for doing what YOU did by stereotyping homeschoolers. I said "NOT ALL" I didn't judge you or your school I used examples of situations and people I have personally experienced. If you haven't personally experienced homeschooling I would say you have no foundation to have an opinion about us.

[Trillianz]

@KristieSue I was homeschooled myself up until the age of 7. I was then put into a special ed school for disabled children and then moved to a public secondary school when I was 11. I am speaking from my own experience, and from my experience of working with autistic children.

[KristieSue]

Great well our homeschooling experience is different from yours. My kids enjoy it and if they ever choose to go to public school that's their decision. They don't choose to and we're getting all we need right here at home.

[NeaBisek]

Your love shows. I just think we should insist on help for our children in the public sector. I am tired of being so isolated and secluded. It feels like discrimination.

[NeaBisek]

By mainstreamed, I mean eventually, wouldn't it be good for him to be included in public education? I just don't think you should have to do this by yourself. Your son should have the right supports in his school.

[KristieSue]

He has been included in public education. They handled his shortcomings by separating him from the other kids and making him feel like an outsider. Homeschooling isn't something we have to do it's something we've chosen to do.

[NeaBisek]

Kristie Sue,

Your son seems to have enormous potential. I wonder how a good school program could help him even more. He probably could focus better and be mainstreamed and participate in group settings?

[KristieSue]

I'm not sure what you mean by "mainstreamed" but when Logan did go to public school he was kept away from the other kids and constantly berated for not being able to hold still. He would come home depressed and tell me his teachers yell at him. I think he's doing pretty amazing right where he is and we participate in lots of group activities.