I have ADHD and wasn't diagnosed until I was 59 years old. In a way I was kind of lucky I didn't know I had ADHD. So I was allowed to enter the military and completed a 20 yr career, but it was really rough for me. Inregards to your granddaughter and "stress," stress is really bad for your granddaughter. Stress may actually make her mind go blank, then she may have to leave the area for a while so that she can calm down and think again.. Since you know your granddaughter has ADD you can help her now. She really needs a special school for people with disabilities. Since most teachers are probably stressed enough, and since they have no idea about ADD. Teachers' may react too stressfully to your granddaughter.(It is not her fault totally for learning because she has ADD.)

Mom, have you ever gone on the "Internet" to read up on ADD. You need too. My father was an algebra teacher, and he couldn't teach me this subject. Now I know it was ADHD that was my main problem with school. The federal goverment has a program known as EEOC which can help your granddaughter when she enters the working world. There is another Government assistance area known as "JAN". At my 2nd job after the service, I had a second career working for the State Government. It was here that I learned about "JAN". It is a federal book that tells employers how to go about and treat a worker who needs a special working accommodations. Search the Internet for additional information. Your granddaughter is probably on medication for ADD. ADD doesn't go away like a sickness does. If you know someone that had ADD and becomes an adult; follow his or her working abilities path. Because, he or she more than likely will still have problems at work caused by ADD. So, your granddaughter may not know her English or Math at the moment and probably daydreams alot. So, if her teachers have no understanding of ADD then get her to a private school or ask your state government for assistance. One more thing about myself, I used tape recorders later in life, and when I worked with colors that helped me keep a better track on my work assignments. ADD people normally have no real organization skills. I am still an unorganized person, but for me I kind of lucked out in one area regarding money assistance, I am a retired military member, and disabled veteran so, I am better off then most other disabled people. . Homeschooling is definitely needed by a well qualified individua lthat you may know. Again if your granddaughter is stressed she can't learn. Use the new recoding devices that are now available because they are alot smaller so that she can listen to the tapes over and over.Then she may pickup more about what is going on in class. She probably can't hear everything the teacher says, but she should write down notes then listen often to her recoding devices. If you have any other questions silly or not just ask me.

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I sincerely hope a homeschooling expert sees this thread. I wasted my entire education career ensconsed behind unwieldy desks. After finally opting out, I found out I assimilate more in a quiet, home environment via the Internet or computer software programs. You should be commended for considering the homeschooling option. The fundamental problem with our education system is it expects each child to learn from the same methodology. For an institution that promotes demographic diversity, I find their learning methodology to be hypocritical at best.

Morever, The No Child Left Behind Act destroyed any semblence left of individual teaching modules. It is all about rote memorization, thus creating an army of mindless twits who spend half their lives with head bowed to a text messaging device.

Best wishes!

www.adhd-information-exchange.com

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I have a 12yo son with ADHD and I have been homeschooling him since the beginning of grade 3. I was so sick of dealing with the school, even at that early age. I am not going to sugar-coat anything - it is a lot of work. (Bear in mind, though, I have three kids that I homeschool.) But it is really good for him. There is no doubt in my mind that he would not be doing as well if he were in school.

Do not worry that you will make her stupid or fail her. As long as she learns the basics, she can pick up anything you missed when she is older. No one learns everything in school. All schools have to choose what to teach and it is different from school to school. There are lots of curriculum materials out there that give you as much or as little help as you need in teaching. There are also books about homeschooling and lots of blogs and groups on the internet for support. You CAN do this!

Every state has different laws, so start by finding out what the laws are in your state. (I can help you if you need it.) Next, go to the library and see if you can find any books about homeschooling. My library has many. They are in the parenting section, usually. That should get you started.

Homeschooling can be wonderful for a child with ADD/ADHD because you can accommodate their needs in ways that the schools cannot/will not.

You do not need a lot of money to do it. One year, things were tighter than usual and I did it all with only library resources, except for the math books, which I bought on eBay.

I can help you with any specifics you want help with. Just send me a private message or post on this thread.

It's funny that I just came across this. I have never been to this site before. I was looking to see if there were any blogs about homeschooling a child with ADHD because I was thinking about starting one and this tread came up in the Google search. There does not seem to be many resources out there for this unique challenge.

Good luck!

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My son has ADHD and a lot of other issues like PDD-NOS, OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, and sensory processing disorder. My daughter is currently getting tested for ADD/ADHD but I am certain she will be diagnosed as such. I homeschooled both children since they were of school age. The difficulty comes with being able to overcome learning disabilities and obstacles. Ultimately, my son's issues have been greatly resolved by putting him in the local public school and keeping an eye on the special ed program. I have educated myself on IEP's, and I have invoked my rights several times when they local schools try to get out of providing services. I have yet to get a lawyer, because once the school system hears that you are going to contact the state, they all of the sudden change their minds. If you are well educated on your rights, then they can't push you around. My daughter is still homeschooled as of this year. She is 13. I will say that it has been far more difficult trying to homeschool her than it was to homeschool my son. She frequently gets up, is distracted, will doodle on her school work, etc. The bottom line is that you have to do what is best, but I will tell you that if you intend on homeschooling, it will mean you sacrificing your time for the entire day to make sure that she is staying on task. If you can do that, then you will be fine. If not, I would research to see what kinds of things you can do to eliminate any possible distractions in your home before attempting homeschooling. Just my two cents though.

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