| Author | |
12stars
Forum Pro
Joined: April 25 2008
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 372
|
| Posted: Jan 16 2011 at 11:05pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Hello
As the title goes I need suggestions. My son has fine motor delays and mild expressive language delay, a tad OCD, and Sensory Processing as well. Along with dietary needs. He is getting a bit of OT from our insurance.
He is very verbal and bright with a great memory aside from some of his struggles.
Does anyone have any recommendations for Kinder. I don't know if he will do workbooks or really what approach to take with him.
I am at a crossroads as to what to do. My heart tells me to keep him home and do some gentle work. But my brain tells me to send him to school because we are having a baby this coming May and that way he gets consistency. Our school distict is known for not being the best though. A lot of teachers are not aware or educated on ASD. He has a IEP that really serves no purpose as the school district considered him too high functioning to want to give him any real help. Their only suggestion was a 504 plan 
This coming year with a new baby I need consistency too.
So with all that said if anyone can give me some suggestions I would love to hear them.
__________________
Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Jan 17 2011 at 12:42am | IP Logged
|
|
|
you might look at some of the kinestetic styles of learning.. bigger movement.. get the whole body involved type of stuff.
Wouldn't you be starting him in the fall.. a baby born in MAy would be close to 4 months old.. and it's only kindergarten 
When you're not sure if home or school will give him more beneficial things.. then look at the things he'll get that you don't want him to have.
How are his delays going to effect him in school. What is he likely to deal with from the teachers, from the other students, from his own observations about himself in comparison with others.. and what about at home.. what are the things he'd find there?
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
drmommy
Forum Pro
Joined: Dec 14 2009
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 394
|
| Posted: Jan 17 2011 at 9:30am | IP Logged
|
|
|
My daughter has also autistic tendencies, is definitely ADHD, and is diagnosed with Worster-Drought Syndrome/Perisylvian Polymicrogyria. She had a PET scan and does not use the left side of her brain..well, barely.
Anyways, I had her in "regular Kindergarten" first, and since the teacher always handed me a HUGE stack of unfinished work every week, I decided that I could do better. Plus, my daughter had very delayed speech at the time, and got up out of her seat frequently. She was also one out of 35 children with no aide. So, that's how I started homeschooling.
We use Kolbe for its flexibility and accountability (I need that). However, I use mostly Catholic Heritage Curricula for her other needs, and Christian Light Education for her math (not Catholic, but this math program has worked out wonderfully. I now have my 5th and 8th grader on it, and they are finally "getting" math).
In the beginning I used to get sooo frustrated (but not let her know, of course), because one math lesson took about an hour. But, we kept plugging through, and as she has been developing (she is now 8), her understanding has increased. We are now in second grade math, and the lessons take about 20 minutes. She still has a hard time with money, but we are making progress (cannot understand how to count from 25s and switch to 10s, etc). She is developmentally and cognitively delayed, but we work with what we have. Kolbe has been so supportive of our journey, and are always there if I have questions. The older girls use a combination of Kolbe and Seton.
We do review our math facts (on cards in certain groups...purchased from Christian Light Education), and she is getting pretty darn good. She loves to pick out her group that she has to learn and study for the day.
I never thought that she would come this far. But, love and perserverance is what will help the most. Along with prayers, of course. And TONS of patience!!
Oh, and because she has ADHD, the sitting down with workbooks, work, etc has helped so much for her to learn. Some children may benefit from activity, but I found out that just fuels MORE hyperactivity and attention deficit for her. I try to channel her "play" times with active/activity learning, rather than just letting her "go". Directed play,I guess one would call it! But, it has helped her tremendously.
Bridget
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
12stars
Forum Pro
Joined: April 25 2008
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 372
|
| Posted: Jan 17 2011 at 10:01am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jodie you are right, and those are the questions I am racking my brain with. I think at home he finds comfort and stability. We would be able to really keep track of his progress vs. what school does send you home with packets and more packets. I am just unsure of my ability to keep it all together 
We also have a younger son he is 3 and very rambuctuous. So I just look at the now and wonder how on earth am I ever going to teach my child that has needs and needs me one on one. I am not the most patient of people truth be told, I know that has more to do with me than my children.
I definitely need to find more creative ways for our 3 year old to be entertained.
I was thinking of Kolbe for him too. My oldest does high school with them so I should just give them a call. I just was not sure if I could deviate from all of their course work and use what I think would work.
__________________
Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Jan 17 2011 at 12:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
6-9 months will make a big difference in the 3 yr old too.. and he may well be willing to sit and color (or string beads or play with play dough or something) while you're working. A leapfrog letter factory dvd or magic shool bus.. both educational.. would give you a block of time.. a quiet time in his room when the baby is napping.. lots of ways to get one on one time.
ETA - adn there's a program that is for special needs.. was it Kolbe? someone just mentioned it in another thread.. I'll see if I can find it.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Jan 17 2011 at 12:53pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I found it. Helen says Seton has a special program. partway down the first page.
Maybe that's something to check into?
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
12stars
Forum Pro
Joined: April 25 2008
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 372
|
| Posted: Jan 17 2011 at 1:13pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I definitely will.
__________________
Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mom3aut1not
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 21 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 757
|
| Posted: Jan 17 2011 at 3:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Claudia,
Unless things have changed, Seton's special needs program is geared more to LDs and not more severe issues. I checked them out a few times over several years and found that their program would not fit our needs at all. The last time I checked them out (for K) I was told that my son could take two years to finish K and that I had to use their materials. My son has severe language delays, extremely poor auditory processing, and can't really use most workbooks or textbooks -- even first grade ones when he is technically in fifth grade.
If you are curious about what I do, let me know. We are enrolled in Clonlara but design our own curriculum.
In Christ,
Deborah
__________________
Deborah
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
12stars
Forum Pro
Joined: April 25 2008
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 372
|
| Posted: Jan 18 2011 at 6:59pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks Deborah for the input, My son is on the high end of the spectrum so he can do some work, we are just going to have to be very patient with his needs. Really look into the kinesthetic aspect of curriculums. I doubt Seton would work for him, but who knows my 11 year old daughter whom I suspect has ADD loves loves Seton...go figure I had bought a workbook for her a while back and she loved it so much I got her another subject then another
I tried so hard to implement CM and some other methodologies for her. But she preferes that style.
__________________
Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
At_His_Feet
Forum Pro
Joined: April 28 2007
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 304
|
| Posted: Aug 08 2011 at 12:55am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Claudia,
Just wondering how all your decision making went? I am in a similar boat with our 7 year old who has atypical autism and is currently at school, but I am thinking of bring him home soon, and I am trying to decide what materials to use.
Tricia.
__________________
Tricia
Mum to 3 boys 17, 15, and 10.
Do whatever He tells you
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
12stars
Forum Pro
Joined: April 25 2008
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 372
|
| Posted: Aug 08 2011 at 1:54am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Tricia
I had forgotten about this post  We had our little baby and all has been nothing but trustful surrender honestly. Our Lord has been good to us in so many ways. I pray and he has been opening doors.
We just finished up a two week camp for ASD children and their siblings. He was in the social part of the camp. Anyhow through these past weeks I have had more clarity than before. We decided to forgo all things school district and not even try with our Regional Center for now. They help people with disabilities. I met so many parents just angry and frustrated with public services, and I really do not want to go there. My son really is just too HF for them to consider helping us in any real way. So we are keeping him home.
I met this woman that does psycho educational evaluations and we will be going to her in late winter early spring. She really helped me make some curriculum choices that I was just stuck on.
We are going to do Rightstart Math, a sensory diet along with fine motor skills, a lot of arts and crafts. Lastly some phonics which I already started very gently. I am pleasantly surprised he is remembering his sounds and letters. He could not distinguish letters from numbers, he thought they were all numbers a few months ago.
I am hoping once he gets a better grasp on phonic awareness, I was looking at PAL once he got the hang of blending, maybe.
Oh and a lot of music and reading.
Since we are also going to start the GAPS diet with him, I know that it would be much harder if he was away from home so much.
Another thing that I have been told over and over whenever there is a weakness in any area for instance my son with his fine motor and expressive language delay. It should be worked on before you hit academics or they will struggle much more. That is what I find with my little guy although he is immature and all he understands concepts beyond his age but it's almost like his body is immature as well and he needs a bit extra help to get him going, he is very smart. All these kids are.
It really does take trusting in God that He knows what is best for these children it is just up to us to listen and also make it happen.
A private school just opened up around the corner from my house that is specifically for HFA/ Asperger children. My husband wants me to look into it, and I will. I highly doubt that we would be able to afford something like that. It's great and all, their curriculum is top notch for these kids but like I said I don't think it will happen.
__________________
Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Taffy
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1567
|
| Posted: Aug 08 2011 at 7:59am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I've been in the midst of re-evaluating and discerning this past summer with how to educate my 14 year old boy with PDD. He has moderate delays in social skills and language. I've been seeing things in terms of what I/we should have done differently and, overwhelmingly, the answer is this:
Play.
Children on the spectrum play a lot in their own way but not very socially and that is what needs targeting. I wish I'd been more dedicated to spending time in play versus math, etc.
Read books together and re-enact the stories using puppets, drawing and painting.
Play turn-taking games. Simple ones at first like "Hot Potato" or musical chairs. Exaggerate your reactions and pleasure in waiting to see your child's next move and reaction. Encourage your child's enjoyment in watching for facial expressions, changes in voice, etc. Play trains with him until you don't want to ever see another train again.
Read books together and take turns reading the text. It sounds like your son isn't reading yet. That's great! Read together and pause at various points in the story. Ask him what will happen next and why. Do the pictures give any clues? Ask him to describe the pictures, to figure out what characters might be thinking based on their expressions and actions. My son was an early reader and he still has a great deal of difficulty with doing these kinds of things as he's so used to reading the words and simply parroting back what's in the book. Use this pre-reading state to really expand on comprehension as much as possible!
The Charlotte Mason methods are great for those with autism - particularly learning to narrate readings and experiences. But I've yet to find a curriculum that we can use without making serious adaptations to it.
The other word of advice is visual schedules. I am so not a schedule person but they really are helpful and my son absolutely craves having them. I wish I hadn't downplayed their use as much as I have in the past and am using them a lot more now.
As far as the motor skills go... play is also wonderful for that, in particular, play with others who won't express frustration from your son's difficulties. He'll have enough of his own frustrations to deal with. As well, painting on a vertical surface is helpful. Mechanical pencils are helpful for those who press down too hard when writing - they really help teach writers to use a lighter touch.
It sounds like you have a good grasp of what you'll be doing so that's great! Just wanted to add my thoughts in case any were helpful. And, writing things out like this often helps me figure things out for myself and our own situation. A win-win, you might say! 
__________________
Susan
Mom to 5 on earth and 1 in heaven
Susan's Soliloquy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Anneof 5
Forum Pro
Joined: June 10 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 217
|
| Posted: Aug 08 2011 at 2:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Not to change the focus of this thread but my 10yo dd was just diagnosed with atypical autism (PDD) this summer along with anxiety and I am really feeling lost and kind of depressed. It all makes so much sense now that this is where she falls as an ADHD diagnosis in the past didn't fit. I am really at a loss as how to approach this year, trying to deal with her anxiety (therapy, meds)while trying to find something that she will respond to curriculum wise (she is about a 3rd gr level). If anyone else has something to add I am all ears! I will ponder the suggestions in the previous posts as well!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Taffy
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1567
|
| Posted: Aug 08 2011 at 6:25pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I thought I'd address your concerns about dealing with anxiety...
RDI seems to be a worthwhile therapy for improving social skills. While I can't recommend going with RDI fully, its principles are certainly worth exploring and using with all children.
This post, written a few years ago, gives a great overview for the fundamentals of RDI. Essentially, we need to learn how to listen to our kids who have so much trouble expressing themselves.
Of course, we listen to our children. But, for the child who has difficulty with communication (either verbal or non-verbal), it is very hard for them to explain their thoughts and ideas and the listener tends to fill-in-the-gaps too much. We don't even realize that we are doing it.
I encourage you to read the whole post. The top three things to do are: slow down, talk less and simplify.
By learning how to listen, and by helping your daughter communicate better, you'll go a long way towards dealing with the anxiety, I promise you. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.
__________________
Susan
Mom to 5 on earth and 1 in heaven
Susan's Soliloquy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Anneof 5
Forum Pro
Joined: June 10 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 217
|
| Posted: Aug 08 2011 at 8:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you, Susan! I printed it out and will read it tonight when I have some quiet and can think. For some reason, I had assumed that RDI was just for really young children. I guess I have a lot to learn!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Taffy
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1567
|
| Posted: Aug 08 2011 at 9:19pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
No problem! Glad to offer helpful advice! 
As for RDI, one of my favorite bloggers, Tammy Glaser, has an incredibly informative blog about how she uses techniques from RDI, Charlotte Mason and Association Therapy to continue to educate, successfully, her now 22 year old autistic daughter Pamela. If you are interested in any of these therapies, I highly recommend taking some time to read through her blog. Your time there will be well rewarded.
__________________
Susan
Mom to 5 on earth and 1 in heaven
Susan's Soliloquy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Special Blessings
Topic: My son has HFA, what curriculum ?
