Being Adaptable For Your Special Needs Student

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Honey

Elisha struggles with printing. Each time he is faced with printing he freaks out and has a melt down. These meltdowns are significantly smaller and much less frequent than when we first started homeschooling 5 years ago.

We have tried a variety of methods for making things easier for him. Not all of these things works every time, so I have to think on the fly and pull things out of my hat at a minute's notice.

Yesterday he was struggling with putting pen to paper to complete some simple multiplication problems. He hit a mental road block. What seems so simple to me is an impossible task to him.

He tried printing math questions out on the iPad but these questions were too big and don't fit on the screen when he drew them with his finger.

I tried printing out special graph paper for him to use, but he wouldn't have any of it.

What he really needed was to step away and clear his head with a cup of tea (it would have been coffee, but we were all out).

When he came back, he was ready to work. I hand printed all his questions out on the graph paper. One question per page. He worked all the questions out on the 1/2 inch graph paper, talking out each question as he went.

My helpful hint for today is to be ADAPTABLE.

I am linking up with Helpful Homeschool Hints. I don't know if you noticed, but the Helpful Homeschool Hints has moved to the Homeschool Classroom. Take a few moments and visit to see what everyone else has to share.

Indoor Play Place

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Honey

Our van has not been drivable for most of the last year. The last time we went to the fast food restaurant that houses this indoor play place, the twins were too young and too tiny to play.

Elisha slid down the slide with Hosanna and she loved it.

Daddy slid down the slide with Zion and he loved it (yes daddy loved it too).

I have no idea what Moses was pointing at.

Hosanna checking out the floor. It was soft and rubbery which was something new for her.

Hosanna attempting to climb.

Hosanna is sad that she is too short to climb up on her own.

Now she is just being goofy.

She was also in a mood to pose for the camera.

She is my only daughter so I can take lots of pictures of her.

Isn't she adorable? I think so.

Zion and Hosanna exploring. Hosanna climbing the slide.

Zion's turn to climb the slide.

I loved the strange lighting of this picture. This was Zion and Elisha.

Watching Malachi coming down the slide.

Malachi, Moses, and Zion.

All the boys coming down the slide. Elisha, Moses, Malachi, and Zion. I love the expression on Zion's face. He is such a cute boy.

Zion climbing the slide again.

Oh no, here comes a brother (Malachi). Look at the grin on Zion's face.

Zion made it to the bottom. Happy boy. He loves being chased by the big boys.

And here they come... Malachi...

Elisha... and Moses....

While I was gathering the images for this post, I was thinking about a time 5 years ago when this big boy wasn't so big.

We were at this very same play place and it was very crowded.

And the boys had played themselves out. (We only had 3 boys at that time).

And this big boy in front (the one putting on his shoes) had a melt down. It was time to leave and he didn't want to.

Instead, he threw himself to the ground like a floppy rag doll. He let his whole body go limp. The world around him stared, but he didn't even notice.

Can I just tell you how proud I am of this boy? Well, I am.
He has come a long way in the last few years.

(Note: Elisha has a diagnoses of ADHD, Autism, Sensory Issues, and is highly gifted)

The Bridge That Elisha Built

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Honey

Elisha has been meeting with his OT fairly regularly for the past year. Since the fall, when our van broke down, she has been coming to our house. Our house is loud, we have five kids. While Elisha has been working on strengthening his fine motor abilities, he also has been learning to working through frustrations and follow a sequence of instructions.

During each visit he has been tackling a project that requires him to work step by step. I am amazed at how much progress we made this past year. I should have been taking pictures of all the projects he has been completing (note to self - take more pictures during OT visits). Here is a bridge that Elisha completed out of Uber Stix.

We have some fun plans for next year and I can't wait to share our journey with you. Our OT visits will most likely be bi-weekly during the school year and I will try to make a point to document all the fun projects we do and what we hope to accomplish (skill-wise) through them.

Do you have a child with Aspergers or Autism (or ADHD)?

Do you see an Occupational Therapist?

What skills are you working on with your special needs child?