Post by ceci on Sept 16, 2013 13:56:35 GMT
Hi everyone (long post!!)
Home schooling is something we're giving serious consideration to for our 8 year old. She's coping less well both socially and academically at school and is very anxious. It isn't getting better as the years go by. She doesn't have a learning disability although her birth mum does. She has a mixed IQ - mixed between borderline and average levels. She has had speech delay and probably some kind of auditory processing issues. She has had OT and has sensory issues. She has a block to learning, although is able to learn well one to one (she has some private tutoring). She writes and spells like a 5 year old. She has no support in school although so far this year the one to one assistant for another child has spent a considerable amount of time helping her. I really have no idea what her block to learning is. I feel she is on the milder end of the autistic spectrum but no diagnosis. When she's stressed she has significant behaviour issues, and defiance at an abnormal level.
So in the absence of any other more suitable school provision, I think she should be at home. That in itself would have a huge financial impact on us because I would have to give up work, but if that was sorted out then there's no real barrier to it.
However, (and finally!! this is where I need some advice), is it possible to effectively teach a defiant, stubborn child with some sort of learning block at home? I do want her to achieve to the best of her ability but have no idea what that is. I have absolutely no teaching experience and my patience levels with her are often less than exemplary!!! I come from a background where we were encouraged to push ourselves academically as far as we were able and I suppose that affects my thinking. I don't expect her to a genius but I don't want her to fail totally because we didn't to the right thing. Our extended family are against home schooling although my parents see the sense in it. I'm interested in having honest opions from those of you who do home school, maybe those who have tried, and those who are against it, and even those who wish they had done it. If we do it, I need to have thought about everything!!! (I can't make a decision about things until I'm sure I've looked at all the positives and negatives!!!).
Please be honest.
Thanks
Ceci
Home schooling is something we're giving serious consideration to for our 8 year old. She's coping less well both socially and academically at school and is very anxious. It isn't getting better as the years go by. She doesn't have a learning disability although her birth mum does. She has a mixed IQ - mixed between borderline and average levels. She has had speech delay and probably some kind of auditory processing issues. She has had OT and has sensory issues. She has a block to learning, although is able to learn well one to one (she has some private tutoring). She writes and spells like a 5 year old. She has no support in school although so far this year the one to one assistant for another child has spent a considerable amount of time helping her. I really have no idea what her block to learning is. I feel she is on the milder end of the autistic spectrum but no diagnosis. When she's stressed she has significant behaviour issues, and defiance at an abnormal level.
So in the absence of any other more suitable school provision, I think she should be at home. That in itself would have a huge financial impact on us because I would have to give up work, but if that was sorted out then there's no real barrier to it.
However, (and finally!! this is where I need some advice), is it possible to effectively teach a defiant, stubborn child with some sort of learning block at home? I do want her to achieve to the best of her ability but have no idea what that is. I have absolutely no teaching experience and my patience levels with her are often less than exemplary!!! I come from a background where we were encouraged to push ourselves academically as far as we were able and I suppose that affects my thinking. I don't expect her to a genius but I don't want her to fail totally because we didn't to the right thing. Our extended family are against home schooling although my parents see the sense in it. I'm interested in having honest opions from those of you who do home school, maybe those who have tried, and those who are against it, and even those who wish they had done it. If we do it, I need to have thought about everything!!! (I can't make a decision about things until I'm sure I've looked at all the positives and negatives!!!).
Please be honest.
Thanks
Ceci