We know more and more about kids who don't fit the standard learning mold ..yet we continue to act as if the industrial blue print (with bells and all) which our schools were modeled after fits all. I won't argue that here..greater minds than mine have made that argument clear already.
I've been lucky enough to know, work with, tutor, care for and have as my family a diverse set of folks. I have at least a passing familiarity with Aspergers, Autism, CAPD, ADHD, anxiety, Sensory Integration Disorder (SID), and bit more of the alphabet soup.
In general ( I've only used FLVS) virtual schools offer options that are incredibly helpful in personalizing all kinds of things that support diverse learning styles. Some are very obvious ie: choosing when to work, where to work to support particular strengths. For kids with CAPD, ADHD and other things that benefit from replay virtual school is just wonderful! FLVS uses lessons that incorporate written words on a screen lessons, videos (some great and some not), interactive practices, and online discussions. If auditory learning isn't a strength, the ability to rewind, pause,and sometimes read subtitles is amazing. Can you imagine asking a teacher to rewind his/her lecture five times? If the video lesson doesn't cover it, don't worry ..that isn't usually the only way the subject matter is covered but instead a piece of the lesson. Do you have a kid that loves to wiggle, stand, rock, stim or otherwise cause the standard classroom to explode with indignation at the distraction? Sit your kid on an exercise ball, in a rocking chair, on a wiggle seat or let them stand..the only person they'll likely distract is you and you can handle it..right? Have a kid with ADHD who loves his lesson until..wait did you see that butterfly by the win.. oh look the mails here and ect...then work in short concentrated bursts. Work 20 minutes then one walk around the block. Does the kid have great attention at 5am and it slowly worsens? Work 5am till 9:30 am seven days a week instead of six hours a day for five days a week. If your kid has lots of commitments with appointments this means no more missing school..do it around those scheduled appointments. How about the kid who needs absolute silence to function in school (this may have been me..I may have told my kindergarten teacher the other kids were giving me a migraine and why couldn't she control them..No, I didn't particularly care for school - at all)? Noise cancelling headphones are a miracle. My son listens to my Yo Yo Man Pandora station when doing math and he concentrates effortlessly. So far nothing has helped Language Arts....although he has attempted to "use the force".
FLVS FT is almost the same thing as public school districts and in the case of IEP's and 504's. Just as frustrating and mind numbing. Sitting in the front, dictation (we use a tablet for that), written instructions, comprehension checks, wiggle seat, and frequent breaks are just a few of the accommodations already or easily dealt with attending a virtual school without an IEP or 504's.
While smoothing all the rough edges in life for our kids may feel good, we all know that isn't in their best interest. They need to be exposed to crowds, loud noises, not the perfect fabric, touch, some sort of restrictions on movement or whatever is their challenge. In my opinion, for whatever that's worth, I don't think those frustrations further education. Taking our kid out of his comfort zone is absolutely something we do consciously and frequently. Our kids deserve the coping skills and the confidence from meeting those challenges.
If you have a specific question please don't hesitate to ask here in the comments, Twitter, or Google+.
If you missed my first FLVS you can read it here: Florida Virtual School Pros and Cons
I've been lucky enough to know, work with, tutor, care for and have as my family a diverse set of folks. I have at least a passing familiarity with Aspergers, Autism, CAPD, ADHD, anxiety, Sensory Integration Disorder (SID), and bit more of the alphabet soup.
In general ( I've only used FLVS) virtual schools offer options that are incredibly helpful in personalizing all kinds of things that support diverse learning styles. Some are very obvious ie: choosing when to work, where to work to support particular strengths. For kids with CAPD, ADHD and other things that benefit from replay virtual school is just wonderful! FLVS uses lessons that incorporate written words on a screen lessons, videos (some great and some not), interactive practices, and online discussions. If auditory learning isn't a strength, the ability to rewind, pause,and sometimes read subtitles is amazing. Can you imagine asking a teacher to rewind his/her lecture five times? If the video lesson doesn't cover it, don't worry ..that isn't usually the only way the subject matter is covered but instead a piece of the lesson. Do you have a kid that loves to wiggle, stand, rock, stim or otherwise cause the standard classroom to explode with indignation at the distraction? Sit your kid on an exercise ball, in a rocking chair, on a wiggle seat or let them stand..the only person they'll likely distract is you and you can handle it..right? Have a kid with ADHD who loves his lesson until..wait did you see that butterfly by the win.. oh look the mails here and ect...then work in short concentrated bursts. Work 20 minutes then one walk around the block. Does the kid have great attention at 5am and it slowly worsens? Work 5am till 9:30 am seven days a week instead of six hours a day for five days a week. If your kid has lots of commitments with appointments this means no more missing school..do it around those scheduled appointments. How about the kid who needs absolute silence to function in school (this may have been me..I may have told my kindergarten teacher the other kids were giving me a migraine and why couldn't she control them..No, I didn't particularly care for school - at all)? Noise cancelling headphones are a miracle. My son listens to my Yo Yo Man Pandora station when doing math and he concentrates effortlessly. So far nothing has helped Language Arts....although he has attempted to "use the force".
FLVS FT is almost the same thing as public school districts and in the case of IEP's and 504's. Just as frustrating and mind numbing. Sitting in the front, dictation (we use a tablet for that), written instructions, comprehension checks, wiggle seat, and frequent breaks are just a few of the accommodations already or easily dealt with attending a virtual school without an IEP or 504's.
While smoothing all the rough edges in life for our kids may feel good, we all know that isn't in their best interest. They need to be exposed to crowds, loud noises, not the perfect fabric, touch, some sort of restrictions on movement or whatever is their challenge. In my opinion, for whatever that's worth, I don't think those frustrations further education. Taking our kid out of his comfort zone is absolutely something we do consciously and frequently. Our kids deserve the coping skills and the confidence from meeting those challenges.
If you have a specific question please don't hesitate to ask here in the comments, Twitter, or Google+.
If you missed my first FLVS you can read it here: Florida Virtual School Pros and Cons