Why in the world do I ever doubt the idea of natural learning? "Doubt it", heck I go through times when I rail against it, running wildly through the house "WE HAVE TO GET THE BOOKS OUT!" in my panicked state. Yet time and time again I see the kids all learn more, about everything every day, then they learn about specific things when bogged down by bookwork.
Don't get me wrong, I am not a text-book-basher, no siree not me! Okay, maybe I am a little bit but only certain textbooks, and only some of the time. Hey, if there's one thing I'm consistent about, its being inconsistent. Seriously when there is an issue that someone is stuck on, or a skill that is glaringly missing, out come the books.
Creative natural learning (that's what I'm calling it from now on) works, period. D has been a reluctant writer for SO long. Wait did I say reluctant? Oh laughing out loud laughing out loud (lol just would not cut it there). Hmmmm, a better word would be an ihatewritingdon'tmakemedoit writer, or thisistorture writer; I'm sure you get the picture. I know he is incredibly intelligent and mature in his thoughts and have just wanted to find a way to help him break through the self imposed writer's block he has created. Plain and simple, the one thing that has worked is well, plain and simple. Arguing takes so much energy yet its the one thing he resorts to time and time again. I finally have realized that arguing was just another stalling tactic! I know I know, duh, right? Finally he is beginning to acknowledge that only by actually writing can he progress. I edit here and there, and as long as he understands why the changes need to be done (whether grammatical, spelling, phrasing, sensical--lol just checking to see if you're paying attention), he can use my suggestions. Here and there, he is writing pieces that he is impressed with himself. Long process, long learning curve for both of us-but when he writes his first mega-novel, the payoff will be worth it. Oh oh oh, you know I'm only kidding there, the payoff is worth it already in seeing that wall chip away bit by bit.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Well dagnabbit...
....I have ADD! Okay this is not a new revelation here, I've known it for a couple years. I firmly believe I've had it my entire life. Yes I did great in school but only until I got to college. It all came so easily for me, tests, homework, in school writing assignments, no problem. For the very few occasions that I had to write papers, I did it last minute and, on 2 separate occasions, not at all; my teachers (senior year) gave me good grades based on past performance. I attributed my lack of preparation and planning for long term projects, to procrastination and accepted that label with open arms. It was an excuse, a self-imposed joke to keep laughing even when my overwhelmed mind would have me so very close to tears. I could never "see" my way through a project, let alone problems or goals! I had ideas about what I wanted for myself but had no idea how to get there; I could see the path but couldn't figure out which transport to use to get going most efficiently, so I stumbled and tripped and occasionally would land at the destination but with no real idea how I got there or how I'd move along from there.
College was disastrous. Long-term assignments abounded and I could not do it. I didn't know to seek out help because it just didn't make sense that I, a previously straight A student, couldn't handle the workload now. I wanted to make a success of my time in school and would marvel at those that could budget their time to tackle projects and prepare and study for tests and exams and keep their dorm rooms neat and work and have time to socialize. (yes, I seriously just used "socialize" to describe what goes on in college, hey-sometimes my kids read these!) How did they do it? And, increasingly distressing to me was, why couldn't I do that, too?
Fast forward to more recent years: I began researching information about ADHD when I began to realize my older son was struggling with organization at school. (we weren't homeschooling..yet!lol) The hyperactivity wasn't there but the attention issues were undeniably present. He was a great student and always got A's. In 3rd grade his first real assignment was given--the kids had to read a certain number of pages per week. He completely shut down and stopped reading; it seemed like an unattainable goal to him, so why try at all? I told him he was reading more than the required reading on his own, but he couldn't get past the requirement. The more I researched for my child, the more I began to see myself. I was reading different message boards and came across one woman's description of her college years and it could have been written by me. She described the fog that always seemed to hover around her, making it difficult to "see" her way through the semester. I couldn't believe someone else out there understood my struggle to visualize things clearly! She began to take adderall while still in college and described that first day as the fog lifting and being able to see clearly for the first time in her life. I was getting ready to return to college and knew I had to do something; I saw my doctor and got a prescription for adderall. I was so afraid to start it-what if it made me jittery or made my heart race? I took it anyway and that began a new chapter in my life. Yes, I take adderall, there I said it out loud. Okay technically not out loud but hey, why get technical? I don't get overly active from adderall; no, if anything it calms my mind down when I've gone into overload mode. I can "see" the destination and the smaller choices I need to decide upon to get going.
So, if that was a year ago, why am I writing now? I've had some very recent new revelations. To be continued........
College was disastrous. Long-term assignments abounded and I could not do it. I didn't know to seek out help because it just didn't make sense that I, a previously straight A student, couldn't handle the workload now. I wanted to make a success of my time in school and would marvel at those that could budget their time to tackle projects and prepare and study for tests and exams and keep their dorm rooms neat and work and have time to socialize. (yes, I seriously just used "socialize" to describe what goes on in college, hey-sometimes my kids read these!) How did they do it? And, increasingly distressing to me was, why couldn't I do that, too?
Fast forward to more recent years: I began researching information about ADHD when I began to realize my older son was struggling with organization at school. (we weren't homeschooling..yet!lol) The hyperactivity wasn't there but the attention issues were undeniably present. He was a great student and always got A's. In 3rd grade his first real assignment was given--the kids had to read a certain number of pages per week. He completely shut down and stopped reading; it seemed like an unattainable goal to him, so why try at all? I told him he was reading more than the required reading on his own, but he couldn't get past the requirement. The more I researched for my child, the more I began to see myself. I was reading different message boards and came across one woman's description of her college years and it could have been written by me. She described the fog that always seemed to hover around her, making it difficult to "see" her way through the semester. I couldn't believe someone else out there understood my struggle to visualize things clearly! She began to take adderall while still in college and described that first day as the fog lifting and being able to see clearly for the first time in her life. I was getting ready to return to college and knew I had to do something; I saw my doctor and got a prescription for adderall. I was so afraid to start it-what if it made me jittery or made my heart race? I took it anyway and that began a new chapter in my life. Yes, I take adderall, there I said it out loud. Okay technically not out loud but hey, why get technical? I don't get overly active from adderall; no, if anything it calms my mind down when I've gone into overload mode. I can "see" the destination and the smaller choices I need to decide upon to get going.
So, if that was a year ago, why am I writing now? I've had some very recent new revelations. To be continued........
Monday, January 3, 2011
FYI: Wax paper may be flammable....
I kinda said "oh no" (no caps on purpose), then did a little bit of a "UHHHHHHH....", and thought I should maybe think about gettin' the fire extinguisher cause the flames were shooting up over the edge of the stove even, but then guess what? The wax paper was all gone, no more fire, just some pretty ashes drifting peacefully down all over the kitchen. The end. :)
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Zachary's Ranges (afternoon Halloween 2010)
To quote Dylan: "3, 15, and 60" when discussing the broad range of levels of expressions that come from Zachary. About an hour ago I was continuing the search for the final missing piece of Zach's costume (could that be the same costume I kept saying "don't play with it, you'll lose pieces of it??? lol), and Zachary said "Mommy, come here....", hugged me and continued "don't worry Mommy, I have everything I need right here." I have lived with this child for 10 years, 9 months, and 22 days (I'm counting the pregnancy there) and yet he still can leave me utterly speechless. The thoughts and emotions he expresses are at once inexplicable in maturity and immaturity--in the same minute as the aforementioned comment, he will run over to Goggy and say "My Goggy!" like a preschooler might. Or even a teenager might, depending on your perspective, lollol.
Halloween is particularly challenging for him. The 10 year old side of him is beyond enthusiastic about candy, decorating, candy, crafts, candy--you get the picture there; but his thoughts are convoluted by autism, making it so hard to differentiate between what is real and what isn't or, more to the point, what is literal and what isn't. He copes by asking question after question; often the questions have nothing to do with the concerns, but it seems that he has to ask any other questions to clear the path for the tougher topics to come out. Zachary told me today that he keeps telling himself over and over "it's not real, it's not real" and is beginning to believe himself. He has such strength and determination; in that way he is just like Alexis, Dylan, and Mallory.
Halloween is particularly challenging for him. The 10 year old side of him is beyond enthusiastic about candy, decorating, candy, crafts, candy--you get the picture there; but his thoughts are convoluted by autism, making it so hard to differentiate between what is real and what isn't or, more to the point, what is literal and what isn't. He copes by asking question after question; often the questions have nothing to do with the concerns, but it seems that he has to ask any other questions to clear the path for the tougher topics to come out. Zachary told me today that he keeps telling himself over and over "it's not real, it's not real" and is beginning to believe himself. He has such strength and determination; in that way he is just like Alexis, Dylan, and Mallory.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Family Fun at Camp Sun ‘N Fun!
A Family Friendly Halloween Adventure
A fun day of crafts, games, food, hayride and a campfire with stories.
at
Camp Sun 'N Fun
1036 N. Tuckahoe Rd
Williamstown, NJ 08094
Saturday Afternoons
October 16th & 23rd from 4-8pm
Raindates: Sunday, October 17th & 24th
Armbands are $10 per child and include all activities.
(Only 1 of each activity per child please)
Activities include a hayride to the pumpkin patch, scarecrow making, crafts, costume contest, trick or treating, games and campfire.
*The costume contest and trick or treating will only be held once daily
and begin promptly at 6pm.*
Refreshments will be available for purchase
For more information please call 856-629-4502
All proceeds benefit Camp Sun 'N Fun.
Camp Sun 'N Fun is a day and residential camp for individuals with special needs. In this
day and age of computers/video games, childhood obesity and lack of appreciation for our environment; camp has never been more needed… especially for our campers.
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