juls
11-19-2008, 11:14 AM
My ds is now in the 4th grade. At age 6 we knew he was struggling in life and we sought some answers. He's been a tough kid to pin down because he has multiple issues, but they are all on the mild side.
He has several diagnosis that I don't really think are correct. We were told he was "borderline ADHD" (after psychological testing) and "the mildest case of autism I have seen" (by a DAN doctor). And then he has some diagnosis that do fit- Sensory Processing Disorder, Tourette Syndrome and some OCD (what I now believe is actually Tourettic OCD). His intelligence is above average but he processes very slowly. Some academic skills are difficult for him- handwriting and spelling- but generally he does well academically. Behavior has been our biggest issue throughout the years. Homeschooling was often a battle because he would get "stuck" about something (maybe a video game he couldn't stop thinking about) and he couldn't work.
My older son began at a small Classical Christian school last year and we were wondering if this child would be able to handle it given his difficulties. Social issues and self control are a bit tough for him sometimes. We gave him the option to go and he said no way (he hates new things). But he actually changed his mind a week before the school year.
I was very nervous for him but I must say that he is now thriving in life like never before. He has almost become a new kid. His conference level is high and he is doing well academically AND socially. He is one of the best behaved kids in his class. He tells me he is developing a "reputation for kindness." This is my very mess disorganized child, but somehow he keeps his binder neat and in perfect order (unlike his older brother). His teachers all have wonderful things to say about him. I would have never guessed this in a million years.
In fact, he was tested by the public school last year in order to qualify for OT and ST services (which he did) and the tester told me that this child would defiantly not do well in public school because he does not submit to authority very well. And it's true that if this kid doesn't like you he won't work for you.
Anyway, I've been a homeschooler for nine years (I'm still homeschooling one child), and in years past I have used and posted on this board regularly to seek help. Now if I had my dream I would been homeschooling all of my children until college. But I must humbly admit that this small classical Christian school with its nurturing environment is giving my son the social skills and confidence that he was really lacking at home. Our family is active in church, scouts, soccer and karate so my kids have always been in social situations, but nothing has grown this child more than these last three months at school. Who would have guessed it?
Anyway, I just wanted to relay this story in case it actually might help someone with a similar child.
Juls
He has several diagnosis that I don't really think are correct. We were told he was "borderline ADHD" (after psychological testing) and "the mildest case of autism I have seen" (by a DAN doctor). And then he has some diagnosis that do fit- Sensory Processing Disorder, Tourette Syndrome and some OCD (what I now believe is actually Tourettic OCD). His intelligence is above average but he processes very slowly. Some academic skills are difficult for him- handwriting and spelling- but generally he does well academically. Behavior has been our biggest issue throughout the years. Homeschooling was often a battle because he would get "stuck" about something (maybe a video game he couldn't stop thinking about) and he couldn't work.
My older son began at a small Classical Christian school last year and we were wondering if this child would be able to handle it given his difficulties. Social issues and self control are a bit tough for him sometimes. We gave him the option to go and he said no way (he hates new things). But he actually changed his mind a week before the school year.
I was very nervous for him but I must say that he is now thriving in life like never before. He has almost become a new kid. His conference level is high and he is doing well academically AND socially. He is one of the best behaved kids in his class. He tells me he is developing a "reputation for kindness." This is my very mess disorganized child, but somehow he keeps his binder neat and in perfect order (unlike his older brother). His teachers all have wonderful things to say about him. I would have never guessed this in a million years.
In fact, he was tested by the public school last year in order to qualify for OT and ST services (which he did) and the tester told me that this child would defiantly not do well in public school because he does not submit to authority very well. And it's true that if this kid doesn't like you he won't work for you.
Anyway, I've been a homeschooler for nine years (I'm still homeschooling one child), and in years past I have used and posted on this board regularly to seek help. Now if I had my dream I would been homeschooling all of my children until college. But I must humbly admit that this small classical Christian school with its nurturing environment is giving my son the social skills and confidence that he was really lacking at home. Our family is active in church, scouts, soccer and karate so my kids have always been in social situations, but nothing has grown this child more than these last three months at school. Who would have guessed it?
Anyway, I just wanted to relay this story in case it actually might help someone with a similar child.
Juls