"...we will not fear for God has will His truth to triumph through us."
These words, part of Martin Luther's A Mighty Fortress is Our God, always catch my eye and ear. This is particularly true given the number of people who suffered great hardship to stand for the truth of the Bible during the Reformation. Let's take the time to remember them this eve of Reformation Day.
Sunday, October 30
Friday, October 28
Let it .... what?
We have snow in the forecast!?! We typically get our first snow around the first weekend of December, and here we haven't started November. Samuel has figured out that I have not purchased winter boots yet and has been rather miffed. My boys really like those suede boot with fleece lining, but they wear right through them even when I purchased a better brand last year. I guess this is our wake up call for winter. I'm hoping the weather doesn't interfere with our plans for a Reformation Day celebration on Sunday.
Thursday, October 27
Math in Fact
I don't know why I didn't think of this a million years ago. If we do our math speed drill last, Samuel has plenty of motivation to move rapidly through the problems so he's done with school for the day!
We have pages of simple additional, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems. The idea is to get the student to where he doesn't have to stop and remember each math fact -- it comes to mind naturally and rapidly. "Rote" learning is not popular these days in education circles, but for math, it is important.
This proved itself recently for our second oldest daughter. Esther had an accounting exam in a college class, and she forgot her calculator. Taking the test later was not an option. So she sat there and did all the calculations by hand taking advantage of the speed and accuracy she'd gained doing speed drills all those years ago!
We have pages of simple additional, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems. The idea is to get the student to where he doesn't have to stop and remember each math fact -- it comes to mind naturally and rapidly. "Rote" learning is not popular these days in education circles, but for math, it is important.
This proved itself recently for our second oldest daughter. Esther had an accounting exam in a college class, and she forgot her calculator. Taking the test later was not an option. So she sat there and did all the calculations by hand taking advantage of the speed and accuracy she'd gained doing speed drills all those years ago!
Tuesday, October 25
Natural Learning
Any home school reflects its own family. I don't just mean values with an upper case V, but the interests that develop within a particular home. This specialized knowledge adds depth and dimension to a home program. Since my background includes work with the US Forest Service, birds, trees and snakes are a comfortable part of our school
Our oldest daughter had a great field botany class in college. So each year in early spring, she takes the boys and me on a hike over at Balls Bluff, a park that overlooks the Potomac River. We hunt for ephemeral flowers, the ones like trout lily, wild ginger, and trillium that take advantage of the sun that reaches the forest floor before the trees leaf out.
I made the photo at the top of this blog last spring during our flower hike. The boys mostly ran around enjoying the fresh air, splashing in (cold!) creeks and climbing over fallen logs. But they also began to develop the ground work for knowing and appreciating the tiniest flowers and plants.
Our oldest daughter had a great field botany class in college. So each year in early spring, she takes the boys and me on a hike over at Balls Bluff, a park that overlooks the Potomac River. We hunt for ephemeral flowers, the ones like trout lily, wild ginger, and trillium that take advantage of the sun that reaches the forest floor before the trees leaf out.
I made the photo at the top of this blog last spring during our flower hike. The boys mostly ran around enjoying the fresh air, splashing in (cold!) creeks and climbing over fallen logs. But they also began to develop the ground work for knowing and appreciating the tiniest flowers and plants.
Sunday, October 23
Friday, October 21
Making a Diamond
If I could get one message across to professionals who treat autism it is this: you are treating an entire family. Listen to moms and dads when they say they need help. When a professional treats the child, he clearly has to make decisions in the best interests of the child, but those benefits will be counter-acted if the treatment does not reduce the stress in the house as a whole.
The stresses are very real, particularly for the mothers. I have included a link here for an article that draws from research involving all members of a family with a spectrum kid. And if you are homeschooling (a factor, to my knowledge, that's not included in this research) these stresses are multiplied.
Ultimately, my trust is in my heavenly father who cares for us no matter how difficult our days may be. And I am confident that our determination to teach Samuel here at home best assures a coherent world view for my son. But those who treat my Samuel may be providing the means of God's care, at least to some extent. Listen to the moms and dads.
The stresses are very real, particularly for the mothers. I have included a link here for an article that draws from research involving all members of a family with a spectrum kid. And if you are homeschooling (a factor, to my knowledge, that's not included in this research) these stresses are multiplied.
Ultimately, my trust is in my heavenly father who cares for us no matter how difficult our days may be. And I am confident that our determination to teach Samuel here at home best assures a coherent world view for my son. But those who treat my Samuel may be providing the means of God's care, at least to some extent. Listen to the moms and dads.
Thursday, October 20
On Autism and Research
A spectrum kid is likely to be way out on either extreme when it comes to norms, so he would not be part of a study researching normal brain function. However, I've noticed that medical research (usually including brain scans and a fair amount of theory) flatly contradicts what is observable in an autistic child.
This morning, the Wall Street Journal featured a study regarding the ability for teens' intelligence to change over time. While its premise challenges the long-held tenet that intelligence is fixed, my interest is the function researchers have assigned to parts of the brain. In this case, they are associating the left motor cortex not only with speech, but also with what is tested and characterized as verbal ability. Standardized tests for verbal abilities includes reading, spelling and the ability to analyze language either for content or structure.
Here's where research does not seem to meet the ground of reality. I too assumed that Samuel would have difficulty with language arts. He had been rated as significantly deficient in all areas of communication -- the ability to express himself, respond to what others say, and use language in a socially-appropriate context.
However, Samuel has done exceptionally well in reading and is extremely observant about words. In reading if he hears a new word, he'll take a moment to examine it before we may continue. He'll remember not only its meaning and usage, but its spelling too. Yesterday he corrected my spelling! His reading continues to outpace his "normal" peers by several grade levels. Remember that reading evaluation includes the ability to comprehend, not just the ability to recognize words.
What I'm saying is that he has been definitely tested as having significant speech delays, but these challenges have not affected his verbal intelligence. It's likely that an autistic child's brain is "wired" differently, but that doesn't account for data that attaches capability to a brain part that cannot be verified in even a small subset of people.
This morning, the Wall Street Journal featured a study regarding the ability for teens' intelligence to change over time. While its premise challenges the long-held tenet that intelligence is fixed, my interest is the function researchers have assigned to parts of the brain. In this case, they are associating the left motor cortex not only with speech, but also with what is tested and characterized as verbal ability. Standardized tests for verbal abilities includes reading, spelling and the ability to analyze language either for content or structure.
Here's where research does not seem to meet the ground of reality. I too assumed that Samuel would have difficulty with language arts. He had been rated as significantly deficient in all areas of communication -- the ability to express himself, respond to what others say, and use language in a socially-appropriate context.
However, Samuel has done exceptionally well in reading and is extremely observant about words. In reading if he hears a new word, he'll take a moment to examine it before we may continue. He'll remember not only its meaning and usage, but its spelling too. Yesterday he corrected my spelling! His reading continues to outpace his "normal" peers by several grade levels. Remember that reading evaluation includes the ability to comprehend, not just the ability to recognize words.
What I'm saying is that he has been definitely tested as having significant speech delays, but these challenges have not affected his verbal intelligence. It's likely that an autistic child's brain is "wired" differently, but that doesn't account for data that attaches capability to a brain part that cannot be verified in even a small subset of people.
Wednesday, October 19
With Thanksgiving
I've been emailing with someone who makes me realize just how much God has blessed us. While days with my boys may be difficult, He has tenderly sustained us with benefits unknown in many places.
I am incredibly grateful for my church, Bethel Presbyterian and the teaching, fellowship, and encouragement it has consistently provided. I've written previously about how the women helped us get Samuel accustomed to sitting through the worship services.
While Samuel clearly has many challenges, he also is rich with capabilities and has been spared many of the effects of autism. He drives me crazy some days, but generally greets the world with friendly optimism.
We are within easy driving distance of some of the finest medical institutions. While we have no specific cure for autism, Samuel has been able to receive excellent occupational and speech therapy. He has also recently been extensively evaluated, which I'll discuss in another post.
I am incredibly grateful for my church, Bethel Presbyterian and the teaching, fellowship, and encouragement it has consistently provided. I've written previously about how the women helped us get Samuel accustomed to sitting through the worship services.
While Samuel clearly has many challenges, he also is rich with capabilities and has been spared many of the effects of autism. He drives me crazy some days, but generally greets the world with friendly optimism.
We are within easy driving distance of some of the finest medical institutions. While we have no specific cure for autism, Samuel has been able to receive excellent occupational and speech therapy. He has also recently been extensively evaluated, which I'll discuss in another post.
Tuesday, October 18
Slip Sliding Away
Have Samuel go down a fast waterslide? Climb rigging? Try to step across slippery logs? A few years ago, these acts would have been unimaginable.
Samuel completed occupational therapy since we last appeared regularly online. When he started OT, he had many problems including core and upper body weaknesses and difficulty with large and small movements. Because he could not stabilize himself easily, Samuel was very cautious about lifting his feet off the ground to swing, fall, leap and so forth. Over the course of his therapy, Samuel completed strengthening and balancing exercises, and Miss Nicole had Samuel falling sideways or backward into big puffy pads. He toppled over from the ground and progressed to plunging several feet through the air.
I don't think we realized how far he had progressed until we went to a water park just after Labor Day weekend. He went down every slide and took on challenges from body surfing to wave pools. He loved every minute of it! What a joy to see Samuel go!
Samuel completed occupational therapy since we last appeared regularly online. When he started OT, he had many problems including core and upper body weaknesses and difficulty with large and small movements. Because he could not stabilize himself easily, Samuel was very cautious about lifting his feet off the ground to swing, fall, leap and so forth. Over the course of his therapy, Samuel completed strengthening and balancing exercises, and Miss Nicole had Samuel falling sideways or backward into big puffy pads. He toppled over from the ground and progressed to plunging several feet through the air.
I don't think we realized how far he had progressed until we went to a water park just after Labor Day weekend. He went down every slide and took on challenges from body surfing to wave pools. He loved every minute of it! What a joy to see Samuel go!
Monday, October 17
Where is Samuel Now?
I'll try to bring our situation up to date. Samuel is using third grade material this year, but home schooling is proving to be as much of an adventure as it ever has been. When I started this blog, I had no idea how our lives would work trying to home school a spectrum kid. He remains a challenge behaviorally, but has proven over and over again to be very bright and (when he wants to be) a willing learner. So how are we meeting his particular needs? I'll start with handwriting.
His handwriting remains a challenge, but he has recently been correcting himself to use a correct grip on his pencil and I'm confident now that he has the needed fine motor control. We are using Handwriting Without Tears, and that curriculum views the switch to cursive as a good time to "catch up." This came as a nice surprise as we had ordered this year's materials with some trepidation. (Cursive? The kid can barely print!) But he's always been able to read cursive and was trying to develop a script on his own.
HWT uses only 4 types of connections between cursive letters and he has already learned several. He's also quickly grasped the idea of keeping his pencil down on the paper continually. I hope this will be a big year to catch up with his handwriting. In the meanwhile, I'm playing "scribe" to him in some subjects. Why bother, given the plethora of computers? I've seen just enough about handwriting creating additional pathways to the brain to convince me that it is a necessary and useful part of education.
His handwriting remains a challenge, but he has recently been correcting himself to use a correct grip on his pencil and I'm confident now that he has the needed fine motor control. We are using Handwriting Without Tears, and that curriculum views the switch to cursive as a good time to "catch up." This came as a nice surprise as we had ordered this year's materials with some trepidation. (Cursive? The kid can barely print!) But he's always been able to read cursive and was trying to develop a script on his own.
HWT uses only 4 types of connections between cursive letters and he has already learned several. He's also quickly grasped the idea of keeping his pencil down on the paper continually. I hope this will be a big year to catch up with his handwriting. In the meanwhile, I'm playing "scribe" to him in some subjects. Why bother, given the plethora of computers? I've seen just enough about handwriting creating additional pathways to the brain to convince me that it is a necessary and useful part of education.
Saturday, October 15
Changes Coming to Teaching a Spectrum Kid
I have decided to resume this blog with regularity. So many options are now available, and I am hoping to make changes that will make information more accessible. So, this post is a "heads up" that this blog may change radically in appearance, but will maintain the same purpose: to provide help and encouragement to others who may be home schooling a special needs child by providing a glimpse into my family's school adventures.
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