Category Archives: Overcoming Learning Disabilities

Should I Privately Educate My Child?

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Should I homeschool?  Can you recommend a good curriculum? Can you recommend a good private school? What about sports? What about calculus and physics and… I am inundated with these questions right now. So, here are my answers.

Background

Many people are questioning whether they should homeschool or better, privately educate their children now. We are bewildered about the results of the elections here, particularly for the school board. The government schools have plummeted in academic achievement, and have suddenly and covertly introduced pornography into the curriculum down to elementary. This seems to be true in many metro areas, although not in the smaller towns here.

I do not understand the election results. I am not a political analyst. I do think I know the spectrum of opinion, because of where I live and because I taught Sociology. But there is much about the situation I can not analyze. I do, however, know the basic answers to the questions about private education. I thought I would mention the background so those who live elsewhere understand why the questions are arising.

Answers

So, I answer whether I think you should privately education. Yes, it is your duty as a parent. This is the center of the Judeo-Christian mindset. Yes, I know, seldom have we been taught this, but nevertheless, it is true.

Can I recommend a good school or  good curricula. There are many. However, the way to begin finding what is best for  your child, is to consider what all your child needs to learn, what method he or she learns best, and only then start shopping for curricula or school. For this, I have a guide: the book  Learn at Home for Great Shalom. Get it. Amazon will sell it to you, print it and ship it to you. It would be cheaper than consulting with me –which I would be happy to do. For that, please see:  www.orgstrat.net

Texas Home School Coalition   https://thsc.org/home/

Home School Legal Defense Association  https://hslda.org/

If you live in the north Austin Texas metro area, and you want to  join with me to start a school, or if you child(ren)  has/have a specific learning need, please see :  http://sarles.greatshalom.org/

Learning Disabilities and Depression in Children

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It is not what you think! That is for sure! I have heard so many silly statements.

Children get depressed and usually they are not identified. Children with learning disabilities are more often depressed than others, all things being equal. Having trouble in school, when you are bright, and being blamed for it can clearly cause depression. Possibly that could cause more trouble in school. But depression doesn’t cause learning disabilities –by definition.

THIS EPISODE EXPLAINS DEPRESSION’S RELATION TO LDs AND GIVE PRACTICAL MOM LEVEL IDEAS

Listen to the episode while I explain that, and give you suggestions what to do. Rushing to the doctor for drugs is the very last thing you should do. I have talked to many students who can not do well in school because of the psychotropic drugs they are taking. Of course, my students were adults, but often they just could not figure out why they couldn’t memorize or why they did so poorly at reading or taking tests. So many people I know have been harmed by being over-medicated. I explain who should be prescribing  and under what circumstances. No one else should be pushing. I will explain that too.

WHY DO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS NOT KNOW WHAT LEARNING DISABILITIES ARE?

I went to a candidate forum this week. I was appalled that not one candidate understood the definition of “learning disabilities.” Several were asked and every respondent went far off track. Some evidenced that they had no idea what was asked. Others suggested that regular testing will show and remediate LDs — which of course is nonsense. After someone has been on a school board for a few years… and still this? Lord help us!

LD Study Skills

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Finally! perhaps the most valuable topic ever: actual practical idea for students having learning problems, or problems with their school work — problems we hate to call “learning disabilities.” I cam back from a conference and just had to add in my takeaways from one of the sessions I attended.

it was the Repairing the Ruins Conference from ACCS – Association of Classical Christian Schools. The breakout presenter was Susan Maher from Regents, Austin. All of the credit to her and any blame of mistakes to me.

LD THE BEST DO IT

I wanted to emphasize that the best schools, if they can afford it, do deal with “l;earning disabilities.”  Only brighter than average students will get this designation. So, once again, do not let stigma stop you from getting help. Labeling is an issue, and I will take that up very soon, but the idea of a school or educator or parent failing to get help for these kind of learning problems is itself part of the labeling issue.  This episode, mere points out my surprise that Regents, the very most elite and exclusive, offers this help.

MODIFICATION IS ABOUT LOWERING ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Wanted to correct or add to my words about remediation rather than accommodation. At Regents they say “accommodation not modification.”  We actually agree in practice, but I wanted to convey the vocabulary and the ideas to you.

3 GREAT IDEAS FOR STRENGTHENING ABILITY TO DO SCHOOL WORK: READING, NOTE-TAKING, WRITING PAPERS

Lastly, I wanted to relay 3 good ideas for expanding study skills in a way that many students with learning problems will be able to apply helpfully to their school work. Using memnonic devices of SQ3R, LISAN, and SLOWER, these students can be helped to better read textbooks, note-take, and write papers.

Please hear the episode and then feel free to add any similar study skills techniques you may know about.

LINKS JUST SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND CONTEXT

https://www.regentsaustin.org/

ACCS classicalchristian.org

https://repairingtheruins.org/

More on What are Learning “Disabilities?”

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Following our discussion of “learning disabilities” are — and are not , I continue giving you my read on what happens with “learning disabilities” in private schools and in homeschooling. I try to give you a peek into what it is like in the student’s mind. For this, see an old film called “How Difficult Can it Be?’ from F.A.T. City — widely available, link below. Then I also give you my best tips.

LABELING

Diagnoses, because of the dynamics of labeling can be really deadly.  They are often resisted because parents see them as death knells. They should be used as guidance to the educators. We have given you some idea of the process in public schools. Private purchases can get higher quality, but still there is often a gap of understanding. The best tests come out in reports that need to be translated into educational plans, and then those plans need to be followed. Perhaps refined.

Private schooling can avoid labels, give hope & motivation — and sometimes give individualized help. Homeschooling has the superior advantage of truly individualized programming. A child can be taught in the way she or he best learns. These students can be advanced dramatically in their areas of strength and still have time to catch up skills in another area. Stigma, labeling, and time pressure is eliminated. Often it is ideal, IF the mother/father/ or hired tutor has the vision, creativity and motivation to help the student excel.

PLAN OF ACTION

Use strengths to overcome weaknesses. Notice, what are called “disabilities” often are only weaknesses. These children CAN learn. Remediate weaknesses, but not to the point of failing to build up strengths. And be sure the child has a decent life!. Do not accept negative prophecies, but realize that not all students must be scholars. They do, however all need to be literate, get through school, and be able to choose a career.

This can be done. Faith for this is the first step. Then, there needs to be practical, innovative ideas. It is all of a piece. This broadcast is the only one that brings those two vital components together. And even as innocuous as this is, I have been suppressed. Therefore, please share with those who are interested!

RESOURCES

How Difficult can it be by F.A.T. City   https://vimeo.com/134226914?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImZCr0Luy-AIVVnZvBB17rgCyEAAYAiAAEgJklvD_BwE

outline of “How Difficult…” http://tedcec.zolkoski.com/assets/fat-city-dvd-notes.pdf

books related  http://www.ricklavoie.com/videos.html

HSLDA Home School Legal Defense Association  https://hslda.org/

THSC Texaas Home School Coalition  https://thsc.org/about/

For individual advice, homeschool coaching, or translation of Doctor’s/Psychologist’s findings, see  :  www.orgstrat.net