Wanting to Homeschooling

http://www.thsc.org/defaultpage.asp

Click on getting started on the left menu.

There are so many benefits - and so many risks / pitfalls, that it really is a decision everyone has to make for themselves, but Texas Home Schoolers Coalition and the Homeschoolers Legal Defense Association http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1 are both excellent places to start.

I just want to encourage you to home school your special needs children. I have three LD children myself (1 autism/adhd and 2 adhd/very dyslexic) and it has been are blessing to have them at home where they can learn at their own pace and not be concerned about what society thinks they should be doing at any paticlar age. You can make certain they get the attention they need both physcal and mental. I could go on and on about how home schooling and the postive impact it has had on my kids. We have been homeschooling for 12 years. And will if you want to contact personally.

Where in Texas are you? Homeschooling here, in Texas is great. I will say that is going to take a great deal of committment on your part. It isn't hard perse but it does take consistentcy, time and patience. I have found it very rewarding.

I would be happy to help you get started. Feel free to contact me directly,

B. Allen

Check out www.heartoftex.org. They're a non-profit organization designed to help home educators, families and those considering that path. Their website if full of information on support groups, home educator organizations, and advice to get started. Be sure to check out their monthly newsletters, which have lots of activities, workshops for parents, etc. We don't even homeschool, but love the newsletters for all of the cool information it has to offer any family with kids.
Good Luck!
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In August 2008, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution printed two articles about home schooling. The first, by home educator, Ginny Powell, “Home schooling offers some valuable lessons,” states distractions and frustrations in a typical school setting as reasons to home school. In the article, she asks, “What is your child learning?” Nancy Asbury addresses this question in her article, “Things you can’t learn at home.” Nancy asserts that students in a typical school setting learn about dealing with difficult people, different values, distractions, and disruptions - things difficult to learn at home or even within a group of like-minded home schoolers. To read the articles, visit www.ajc.com and search the archives.

Obviously there are additional pros and cons to each type of education.

A friend of mine, considers home schooling her full time job, spending much time and money on her endeavor to successfully educate her kids. I look forward to meeting more home educators as committed to excellence as my friend. Unfortunately, as a tutor and former public school teacher, I have met many home school families who faced great challenges.

Have you discussed opportunities for additional school support with your children’s teachers and counselors? Have you considered a private tutor?

If you decide to home school, I encourage you to join a support group and to also consider hiring a tutor who can support your family as you home educate.

I pray that God grants you wisdom as your family makes this decision.

Just wanted to let you know there is a conference in Arlington in may that you should check out. There is so much to offer I have heard. I went to the Plano conference and was amazed. Arlington is way bigger I was told.
http://www.homeschoolbookfair.org/more-Info/other-fairs.html
Homeschooling is such a blessing for our whole family. We have been able to add so much more to our learning and outings than the public school ever offered. Also, the kids get to be with other kids through group activities but the kids don't notice the times when they can't if it was for any particular reason :)
So to go about homeschooling; call the school and tell them you will be homeschooling and would like her personal effects at the end of the week. Then have daughter hand out phone numbers to friends and say call me, we still live close for play dates. Find curriculum and teach. It is so simple. Not easy but simple. Enjoy life:)

We have been homeschooling our 3 boys and they have never attended public school, they are 14, 12 1/2 and 9. I also have a dyslexic child that has been tested through the public school system and is on grade level for reading. I would say boys in general were hghly active little critters and handle that by giving them lots of activity. We swim laps, go to gymnastics, and PE. Lots of stuff to get that energy directed into healthy outlets.
Some of the suggestions already posted are really great ideas. The homeschool bookfair in Arlington is a yearly thing and is a great resource for new homeschoolers and returning ones. The website for the Texas homeschool Coalition is also a great resource. There is a group locator that you can utilize to find a support group nearest you and contact information. I also belong to a yahoo group called Creative Parenting and there are quite a few hs moms there also. BTW, where are you located? I live in Stephenville, and our little group of HS moms would give wonderful support if you lived close by. The coalition website is www.tshc.org
you are also welcome to email me off-source or call for any input and have a chat. Would be happy to talk to you.
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Good luck and welcome aboard,
L.

Personally, I think given that you have two high needs children, homeschooling may not be the best idea. You might consider looking into the fact that if your child is physically unable to attend school regularly, the school district must send out tutors. You can certainly then complement that with a home program (I always supplemented my sons' regular school work at this age).

Your son's ADHD is a different matter. You might consider looking at the services provided by Dr. Block:
www.blockcenter.com

My younger son was ADHD until we removed gluten, dairy, all artificial preservatives and colors from his diet (and of course, the HFCS, etc.) It made a day and nite difference.

Also, the intolerance to gluten can be genetic and can cause seizure (my younger son had one when he inadvertently exposed to gluten). The neurologists unfortunately don't this because the research is very, very recent. You can have your kids tested her:
www.enterolab.com

Love homeschooling! The only "official" homeschooler in our family is our 7 year old daughter; we've also got a 3 year old & five month old. We did send Madison to public school for first grade, but came back to HSing as it suits our family much better.

There are tons of pros, but the biggest for us is that it allows us to create our own schedule. My husband is in retail & works weekends, nights, all kinds of hours. There would be days in a row where he wouldn't see Madison at all. Plus, it's super awesome to be able to go to Chuck E Cheese & the zoo during off peak hours! :)

Lots of non-HSers will throw the socialization issue at you. This isn't an issue for us, as it isn't for most HSers. Read up on the subject & you'll find that HSers are afforded plenty of opportunity to socialize.

You'll also find that loads of parents with special needs children find that HSing is very effective & does their children worlds of good. Loads of info on that on the web.

There are tons of different curriculum options. We put our own together mainly with materials found at Half Price Books.

There is SO MUCH info on the web to help you in your search; you could read & read for hours, & I recommend you do just that. You'll find your way & end up having so much fun with your children.

Good luck! :)

My husband is a disabled vet, classified unemployable. I started homeschooling my teenagers so someone would be home to care for my husband in addition to visits from home health care nurses, since I now had to work. My children were excited to escape the stress of public school (both were popular, daughter was cheerleader). After 4 years of homeschool, we graduated our children and they now attend college and are doing very well. The only regret we all have, including my children, is that we didn't start earlier. There are some great support groups for homeschoolers and parents, MARCH in McKinney, PEACH in Plano. Also there are programs like N-TECH, Lucas Christian Academy, and Terri Threadgill has a school where your children can take University Model classes (meaning they take the class 1-3 days a week and homeschool the other days).

Hi E.,

I highly recommend homeschooling. Most cities have homeschool groups that you can join. Some of the nicest and smartest children and teenagers I know are homeschooled. Homeschooling is an entirely different way of life that you and your children will really enjoy! May God Bless You with wisdom and clear direction as you consider homeschooling your children!
R.