If you have read my blog lately, you have read that C was recently diagnosed with ADHD and Aspergers. The last several weeks, we have researched with how to work with this in our homeschool. I have learned many different methods for tackling his inattentiveness, as well as hyperactivity. I have started working with some of the suggestions I have read about.
Hyperactivity
One of C’s favorite activities is jumping on the sofa. It gets a lot of his energy out, but unfortunately, it has ruined the springs in the cushions. I have been thinking about buying him a small trampoline but haven’t found one that has the portability I am looking for in our budget. I had read that exercise balls could be beneficial to bounce on as well and recalled the hopper ball
can also calm him down, as he likes to sit in it and spin or row down the hallway with a shovel for a paddle. Then we can get back to the lesson. A few breaks like this in the day are really good for him.
Inattentiveness
Sometimes C has difficulty staying on track with a lesson, even if he is calm. Engagement can be difficult and I try everything I can to ease his fear and anxiety during class time. One of his most difficult subjects is handwriting; no curriculum has really worked until I started making up my own sheets for him and W. I use a software called Startwrite where I can customize the size of the letters, spacing of lines, and whether or not I want the directional arrows on the page. I can make the pages themed towards any of C’s favorite activities. We have really loved this program and I have seen improvement in his handwriting skills since using it. You can download a demo of Startwrite to see if your child would benefit from the software.
It is definitely a challenge parenting a child with special needs, much less homeschooling him. But I have faith that we can make it work. I believe it will benefit our entire family in the long run!