| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Special Needs Homeschooling Learning Disabilities Homeschooling with Attentional Disorders Including Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006 Children, by nature, have shorter attention spans than adults, but when a child has an unusually hard time paying attention, listening carefully, and concentrating on one thing at a time... parents and teachers may suspect an attentional disorder. If the child is also extremely active, hyperactivity may be suggested, too. Many parents and physicians worry that attentional disorders are diagnosed too often. They worry that natural differences in maturity and learning styles may account for some of the inattentiveness seen in young children, especially in a school setting. Parents have also seen bright youngsters accused of inattention when, actually, they are already familiar with what is being taught in the classroom. For instance, a child who already knows his letters, will not be interested in activities designed to teach the ABCs. When children are truly unable to use their skills of attention effectively, even when faced with topics and activities that are interesting to them, they may be diagnosed with ADD or AD/HD. Research shows that the distractability, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity are caused by a neurobiochemical imbalance, that can be treated with medications. Many homechooling parents find that they can reduce or eliminate medications by tailoring their homeschool approach to work with their child's learning style and meet need for short lessons. There is some overlap in symptoms between ADD/ADHD and other disorders. Sometimes those diagnosed with attentional disorders ar later found to have sensory precessing disorders, executive dysfunction, or auditory processing disorders, or asperger's syndrome. Here are some resources for learning more about attentional disorders: What is ADHD"? -- from Kids Health ADHD Basics -- from the LD Online website Attention and Motivation from The Mis-Labeled Child website ADHD Primer for Parents Part I: Executive Functions NOT inattention as the defining trait by Susan Crum, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. The Source for ADHD by Gail Richardson for LinguiSystems, "Clear up the confusion, organize the information, and learn effective testing and treatment approaches for students with ADD/ADHD" (more theoretical than practical). Unschooling with ADD by Kathy Ward Bored? by Anna Gosline -- interesting research on the causes of boredom in individuals... and a link between attentional deficit and susceptibility to boredom ADD Misconceptions and Mis-Diagnosis -- The Other Side of ADD by Teresa Gallagher of Born to Explore The Mislabeled Child -- an introduction to the book by Drs. Fernette and Brock Eide, which discusses the need to re-examine how we diagnose and treat learning and behavioral differences, including ADHD and Austim Spectrum disorders, and suggests a move toward experience-based therapy to help the brain re-train and re-wire itself. Does your child have a disorder... or is he or she "gifted"? -- an excerpt from a book by James T. Webb, "Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children" Excess Teacher Talk Swamps Children -- by Linda Doherty, education editor of the Sydney Morning Herald Ten Tips for Teaching Highly Distractible Children by Carol Barnier -- a homeschooling mom, author, and speaker discusses how to homeschool fidgety, distractibel children (*with or without* an ADHD diagnosis) Born To Explore -- homeschooling mom, Teresa, has gathered together articles and research about possible causes of hyperactivity and inattentiveness (other than neurological defects) Homeschooling Special Needs Kidz -- a Yahoo! group for parents homeschooling children with any ADD/ADHD or any special need AbleChild: Parents for Label and Drug Free Education -- online support group for parents of public schooled and homeschooled kids ADHD_DrugFree -- for families who are using alternative methods or seeking information regarding alternative treatments or behavior modification tools for ADHD Get Organized Without Losing It by Janet S. Fox -- humorous book written for kids in upper elementary to middle school The Organized Student: Teaching Children the Skills for Success in School and Beyond by Donna Goldberg -- strategies and tips to help parents help their kids organize their lives Related Issues: Is Your Child Gifted? ADD/ADHD in the Gifted Child Sensory Processing Disorders Executive Dysfunction Auditory Processing Disorders Aspergers Syndrome |