DYSLEXIA And ADHD
Tommy is our oldest son. He is a bright, friendly and extremely inquisitive child with an high average intellengence. He loves animals and lavishes attention on our 3 large dogs and my sisters animals next door. He is an altar server, a boyscout and he has a real talent for building, art and mechanics. He is also ADHD, Dyslexic and ODD. He attended public school until mid fourth grade when we decided to homeschool. This was not a decision we took lightly. We tried for years to work with the school, but their idea of help was medication management and keeping Tommy within two grade levels of failure. We felt that for long as the school system's goals for our son remained so low, he would never reach his true potential. We didn't want Tommy to continue on the medications, since no one really is certain of the longterm effects these drugs have on our children. We weaned Tommy off of the Adderall and Tenex that the psychiatrist prescribed for his ADHD. The meds side effects included mood swings, irritability, sleepiness and an overall loss of creativity and desire to succeed. Tommy constantly complained that the "pills" made him feel "fuzzy." We worked with a competent psychologist, who was also our advocate with the school system and made the transition to homesschooling go smoothly.
So far homeschooling has been good for Tommy. His self esteem has really stabilized. It had really gotten low there for a while. He has been free of medication for 2 years now, with no problems we can't handle. There has been some weight gain, but now, even that is coming down. Tommy will probably always be very destractable and it is difficult to keep his attention, but he is progressing well and he has discovered a real love for learning.
We use a lot of hands on lessons and unit study-type curriculum. We have an on-going backyard habitat and gardening project which always seems to yield new learning opportunities. (photos above:Tommy built this bird feeding station in the backyard.)Computer programs and games, timelines, science kits, journals, maps and globes are all used frequently in his studies so we keep learning materials at arms reach everywhere in the house. To get Tommy to read more, we cater to whatever he shows an interest in and his reading has improved dramatically. He even gets up in front of our church and does one of the readings at Mass on youth ministsry Sundays.
As long as we keep Tommy busy, things go great. When he's not active, he has a tendency to daydream and wander. It can be a real chore to regain his attention without turning the entire household upside down. We try to always have something for him to do. We don't think that we'll homeschool indefinitely, although it may work out that way. Tommy has shown a real aptitude for computers, electronics and machinery, so we will be looking into technical schools and colleges that will foster Tommy's talents and prepare him for a good career. College is not out of the question, but he will have to have a strong interest in what he is studying in order not to let more interesting events distract him from his goals. When Tommy is interested in something, he has an incredible ability to almost hyperfocus on the task at hand. When he's not interested, wild horses couldn't drag his attention back to where it needs to be.
Dyslexic people are visual, multi-dimensional thinkers. They are intuitive and highly creative, and excel at hands-on learning. Because most dyslexics think in pictures, it is sometimes hard for them to understand letters, numbers, symbols, and written words. They can learn to read, write and study efficiently when they use methods geared to their unique learning style. Multi-sensorial learning techniques work very well for them. Dr. Patricia Hardman has developed one such techique. Her Hardman Techique is used at Woodland Hall Academy at the Dyslexia Research Institute at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
37 Common Characteristics of Dyslexia
The International Dyslexia Association website
Welcome to the Dyslexia Homepage
AVKO Dyslexia & Spelling Research Foundation The Learning Disabilities/Dyslexia Specialists
What is ADD?
Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD/ADHD, is a psychological term applied to anyone who meets the DSM IV diagnostic criteria for impulsivity, hyperactivity and/or inattention. The diagnostic criteria are subjective and include behavior which might be caused by a wide variety of factors, ranging from brain defects to allergies to giftedness. ADD is really more of a description rather than a specific disease. However, there is a tendancy for people to over-simplify ADD and view it as a singular defect or disease. Not true!
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Top 15 ADD-ADHD Behavioral Management Links For Parents and Teachers
The Center For Attention and Learning
Kids World Software by Grey Ollwit
Born to explore: The other side of ADD
LD Organizations & Resources
The National Information Center for Children and Youth with
Disabilities:
LD Online: Learning Disabilities Information and Resources:
SERI-Special
Education Resources on the Internet:
The • Instant •
Access • Treasure • Chest :
The National Academy
for Child Development:
The Council for Exceptional Children:
ISER: Internet Special Education Resources:
