Hi. Even though our 2 boys are in middle school and elementary school, I think the issues can be very similar in what they all face in school (like bullying, not getting the information because of the way it's taught, feeling stupid, not achieving with their own gifts, etc.). Being able to learn at home has completely changed them for the better. By having the online classes, they've both been able to understand and process (and retain) the subject matter so much better. They are less frustrated, happier, have much more confidence and better self esteem. With that much improvement, they both are more interested in "learning" about subjects they care about (animals, science, sports, photography)--and that had slowly disappeared because learning was so boring and hard for them.

Now, I had to quit work to make this happen, even though homeschooling wasn't in our plan. I wish I had done it sooner...no regrets!! The negative stressors of school are behind us (plus the administrative drama we had, and labeling on them, etc.), and the positive parts are still there because they kept their friends for the weekends, and trips, etc. I know a lot of the online schools have proms, graduations, one on one teaching help, tuition assistance, and more. I don't know our plans for high school, but I've read good things about Laurel Springs Academy, based out of CA and been around for 20 years and has staff who are trained with learning differences. I would also c heck out HomeschoolingExtraordinaryKids@yahoo.com for more sites. Otherwise, you can just use the basic homeschooling curriculum (which there are lots--Sonlight, Abeka, Veritass Press, MathUSee, Saxon), and just adjust it for your child/teenager. They come with software, audio tapes, videos, games, workbooks, the lesson plans--all just a checkmark away once your son completes it, and then he moves on at his own pace. You can even change the curriculum for the following year, if you decide it wasn't the best for you. May sound overwhelming, but it isn't. It actually is too easy. Reporting to the school system is nothing but a few basic forms. It does differ by state, so a MUST is to look at HSLDA, homeschool legal defense assoc. website for your state's requirements. They even have the forms for you to print off and fill out. Well, good luck to you both,

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It really depends. The last college course I took was an online General Psychology course through a local community college. It...did not go well. It's the only college I've taken so far (stupid money troubles), so I'm now on academic probation...

Again...

I would talk to the school academic counselors about the actual curriculum. You should look for classes, both online and in person, that are more strictly structured. Part of AD/HD means having a natural (pretty much involuntary) ability to approach a problem from multiple directions; when a teacher's directions are too vague, it causes problems.

Just talk around, even speak to the teachers in charge of the online courses. If the online course isn't structured enough, it won't do you any good.

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Hi, I started my 7th grader with K12 online public school this year because of the bullying and the teachers yelling about his unfinished work, his lack of focus. I tried Daytrana, Concerta, and Vyvanse but he crashed at the end of the day and was miserable. I knew he had potential because he was commended in science in the 5th grade. He had to attend summer school, passed it, and then I pulled him and started the online school about a month and a half later.

He's been attending the online school since August 24th and he is much happier and I am having very good results. I am working on teaching him what he was behind on in math and English as well as new material. He is retaining the information far better than I had imagined. I do give him numerous alternative supplements twice daily that I have found to be superior to prescription meds. So I agree with another poster that online schooling, at least for his grade level, is working out quite well. .

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ADHD children stuck in the contemporary sausage grinder have an option that was not present during my school years: online education. After going through the motions in secondary school, I went to college to find that environment more frustrating than previous schooling. Still, I somehow graduated with a degree that collects dust in the corner of my basement. I even tried graduate school; should have flushed the tution money down the toilet.

Online education was a revelation for me. Coupled with curriculum from computer software packages, the online movement enabled me to progress in disciplines that appealed to me. I learned Excel and spanish strictly over the Internet and from CDs.

The education system aggresively promotes diversity, yet the genuises who run the education system refuse to alter their methodology for children who thrive in other learning environments. I thought the goal of education was to get children to learn, regardless of how they assimilate the information. Instead, childre with ADHD are drugged so they can still at desks they abhor and pay attention to material they loathe.

I encourage parents with ADHD children to explore online education and incorporate it into some type of homeschooling regimen. It is working for my nephew and countless others who finally said "enough" of the narcotic drugging of their children.

Teachers ans scholl administratos are quickly becoming accomplices to Big Pharma money hungry grab in our education system. Until the educators pull their heads out of their collective bottoms. the time has come to seek alternative methods for teaching ADHD children.

Your ADHD child will thank you for your bold gesture!

www.adhd-information-exchange.com

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We are using an online school for our daughter this year (COVA/K12 curriculum) and are very happy! Our daughter was struggling in the traditional classroom environment (distractions, etc) and her grades were suffering as a result. This is our first year schooling at home (4th grade) and the independent instruction and the ability to move and take breaks when needed has made a tremendous difference in her grades, general disposition and overall happiness with school. She has already told me that she wants to continue with our online school for 5th grade!! For us, the other great benefit of schooling at home is that we can tailor lessons to meet her learning style. Our daughter is so much happier and she has said many times this year that she "actually likes school now!"

One additional thing that has helped our year be successful is that we found a group of families in our area that also school with COVA and we get together with them on a regular basis for play dates, field trips, school outings, etc and one mom started a Lego club,. Our daughter feels that she has really good friendships with these friends and it provides a great way for the parents to connect too.

Hope this helps!

Best of luck!

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I always express extreme caution when considering an ADHD student for Online School or Independent Study.

I understand the appeal, but the first question that I ask is... does the online school appeal because they are offering something specific for your student other than an escape from the current, crappy situation.

In general, running away from something negative rarely makes for good outcomes. Usually, it just makes for a cat-and-mouse game of trial-and-error.

Here is the profile for those kids that I am comfortable recommending a student to not receive direct instruction in a classroom.

- Learning is not the issue. How much can the kid learn with little help? - The end-product is not the issue, but getting them to fit into a mold is. For example, do they do well with a teacher that says, "I don't care how you get there... just give me a finished product at the of the week." But not the teacher that says, "Everyday you need to perform each of the 5 steps that I assign. In the end, you will have a final product."? finally, do we have a plan to meet any unmet needs that an Online School or IS will not address? Organizational skills, social skills, etc? If you don't, you may get better grades, but not the skills needed in the future.

http://askdreric-schoolpsychologist.blogspot.com/

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I am a forty year old going back to school online. The only way that it is any way a positive experience is if you are completely motivated. I have a problem of procrastinating and then run out of time. I don't recommend it unless you can follow a schedule. If you can do it more power to you.

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I have done both and it was tough at first. But I finished my college degree and continue to take classes through these methods. The first and most important thing that I had to do was set aside a certain time each day to do my classwork. No excuses! Every day, no matter how I felt! By using the same time to study and do my classwork each day, I got into the habit of being prepared for the work. The only problem has been when I've tried to take classes that required a certain time to be online. Once again, I had to build it into a habit and used the same time each day to study for that class. But, it was doable, with some work and help from my family.

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It seems that I can access more success stories here than where I work.

For those that have had positive experiences, I am curious as to what makes the difference for you?

What are you getting that you did not before? What did you wish was better? How long is your experience with online?

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My neice is not ADD and is doing very well in on-line highschool . I do not agree facing bullys and teachers who put you down help a struggling student it in my opinion it self depreciating and it cause so much heart ache and feeling of powerlessness no child should have to go through. On-line schools have a programs that are slated for your individual child. There are subject that are hard and may want to be advoided. However if they know your child is ADD/ADHD they will work with you and him. I know they do cost money and that can be difficult for those who are on a fixed income . if you can afford it it may be alternative that can make him feel very successful. No longer does he have to worry about being the target for a bully : and it could be a very postive experience in successful organizing times . It also gives time to get up walk away and find a new perspective when stuck in something. I love on-line school for my self because I not tied down to class room and can get up move something I really need to do. I find it not easier to find the time to sit at a computer as well. But it does help if he doesn't get to surf the computer and play games . These will always need to be something he earns not is he to think he got over. I think it should be looked into if he having so much trouble in school. My neice is a very nice young lady who have so many friends even though she no longer goes to school so he can keep friends if he has any.

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I go to a charter high school. All my homework is online but you can go on campus and get help. you can also take classes like yearbook and Student Concil. i am adhd and the teachers at my school are so helpful.

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ADHD_Teen_Student said: I go to a charter high school. All my homework is online but you can go on campus and get help. you can also take classes like yearbook and Student Concil. i am adhd and the teachers at my school are so helpful.

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pinegirl7 said: Hi, I started my 7th grader with K12 online public school this year because of the bullying and the teachers yelling about his unfinished work, his lack of focus. I tried Daytrana, Concerta, and Vyvanse but he crashed at the end of the day and was miserable. I knew he had potential because he was commended in science in the 5th grade. He had to attend summer school, passed it, and then I pulled him and started the online school about a month and a half later.

He's been attending the online school since August 24th and he is much happier and I am having very good results. I am working on teaching him what he was behind on in math and English as well as new material. He is retaining the information far better than I had imagined. I do give him numerous alternative supplements twice daily that I have found to be superior to prescription meds. So I agree with another poster that online schooling, at least for his grade level, is working out quite well. .

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Kindly tell me the site of on line school so that my kid can work wiyhya

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