home schooling

June 3, 2000

Hi Dona,

I'm really sorry to hear that your daughter seems to be flaring. In our

case, taking just the NSAIDs alone (things like naprosyn, relafen,

advil, indomethacin, etc) didn't do much of anything for my son's pain

and inflammation. He needed stronger meds. Sometimes, it does appear to

be all a child needs for relief of their arthritis symptoms, though.

About the duration of flares: You're right. I think it varies too much

to be able to give a concise answer. Might be just a few days. Might

last weeks or longer. I know that's not very comforting. Sorry. That's

just the way JRA sometimes is. If Sara doesn't start improving, I'd try

to make an earlier appt with her rheumatologist to re-evaluate the

current situation, check her hip and knee, and discuss options for meds

that might be able to control the pain and symptoms better. We haven't

used Tylenol for Arthritis pain. My son takes prednisone, indomethacin,

plaquinel, methotrexate, miacalcin .... and also cytotec for his

stomache.

I hope Sara starts feeling better soon.

Aloha,

Georgina

buchezmoi@... wrote:

> Hi...

> We live in Roanoke VA. I didn't mean to sound so harsh about the school

> nurse. I'm sure there are some really great ones out there. But this one in

> particular, she just really got me...I mean, for her to think she had the

> power to overrule what the MD says...just amazed me.

> As for Sara, we had a really rough night last night. This is our first bad

> one. Poor thing, she was taking a bath at 2am trying to get some relief. Her

> left hip/knee was so painful, she couldn't even put any weight on it.

> This may sound like a stupid question, but when flare-ups like this happen,

> how long before some relief? I know each child is different, but I'm lost

> right now. The only meds she is taking right now for the arthritis is

> Naproxen 375mg and Zantac to prevent the tummy upsets. I called our regular

> Dr. and they recommended Tylenol for Arthritis pain for break-through pain.

> Anyone have any experience with this medicine???

>

> Thanks for listening!

> Dona

> Roanoke, VA

June 3, 2000

Hi,

My son has the " other health impaired " status too. One of the additions

we made to the IEP last time was that he should have access to a home

tutor, irregardless of whether he misses two weeks consecutively. He

usually misses only a couple days, here and there. But cummulatively,

they add up. One year he missed about 50 days of school, due to illness.

That was when we didn't raise the prednisone to avert a flare, thinking

it would just have to clear up and go away on it's own eventually. Well,

it didn't.

We weren't specific about the number of hours of home tutoring, because

as we all know that can vary. When we started having the tutor come in

January, she was spending two hours here twice a week. On an as-needed

schedule. It's pretty flexible. When he's doing well, hasn't been

missing school, is all caught up with all the class assignments and

homework,etc. he can just call her and say I won't need you today. It's

been pretty helpful, overall.

Take care,

Georgina

Ursula Holleman wrote:

>

> Macey was on hospital homebound last year. It kicked in when she missed

> more than 10 days of school but the hours of teaching were retroactive. So

> basically on day 10 her homebound services kicked in and they gave her the 6

> hours from the previous two weeks and then she got 3 hrs per week for each

> additional week. The doctor had to fill out a form for each instance (she

> had 3 the whole year) describing the current illness and when he expected

> her to return. if the child is having surgery and the physician knows from

> the start that he/she will miss more than 10 days then the doctor can go

> ahead and fill out the form and the school system will start the 3 hours

> from day 1. Macey has an IEP under the status of " other health impaired " .

>

> Ursula Holleman

> Macey and 's mom

> http://home.att.net/~maceyh

October 7, 2000

leca@... writes:

< I have a 'feeling' home-school children miss out on alot. >

I think they have a different educational experience, not that they

necessarily miss out. And considering the state of our public education

system, I can think of a few things I wish mine were missing (metal

detectors, anti-drug programs, LCD standards in the curriculum).

Personally, I admire parents who are willing to make that level of commitment

to their children. Although the possible rewards are large, it must also

involve a lot of sacrifices.

{s}

luthien

October 7, 2000

I have often thought about this too... What about the child's

social-development? (Team/Group work.) And... subjects like phys. ed or music.

Or 'field-trips' with the class. And just when are the " strings " cut then from

home?? When they are in their teens!? Yikes.

I have a 'feeling' home-school children miss out on alot.

That's my LOONIES worth!!

(Canadian for $1.00)

Keep Smilin'

December 9, 2000

> , How did it work out with homeschooling Gareth? How old was he?

Hi, Everyone.........Gail.......I homeschooled from 1-3 grade because they

would send him home all the time. It was just easier to keep him home some

days!!! You have to remember that they are not on their grade level, for

starters. We probably did 1-2 hrs of hard work with lots of breaks, just

like a Kindergarten child would do. His meds were different then and he was

not an easy child to deal with. I had to do a lot of bribing and taking away

in order to get some things done on bad days. If you want to watch Pooh,

then you have to do this paper first. Sometimes, he would sit there for an

hour before he decided to do any work! Academically, Gareth has always been

pretty good at learning......it just takes time and repetition. It took 2

months just to teach him to tie his shoes!!! I don't understand what the

problem is with Seth? I held Gareth back till he was 6 just for

Kindergarten. That's legal in any state. Take care, Everyone.

Margaret

January 6, 2001

Randi -

My kids (all five of them) are a bit younger than your son, but we've

homeschooled successfully ever since Zachary became " school aged " and he's

never been in school. We've talked at length with his therapist, who has

said time and again that this is the best thing that we could do for him

because the elements of competition/perfectionism, which are Zack's biggest

issues, are removed from the equation, making it much easier for him to

focus on learning at his own pace. He's eight years old but is working on a

7th-grade level in math and 5th- to 6th-grade level on all other subjects.

He's still very active socially in karate, soccer, football, basketball, Y

classes, foreign language and art courses.

Many people who are newly considering homeschooling think that it's an

isolating thing, but really, the opposite is true. And we have a bit more

control over the experiences that the kids have (two of my other boys also

have health problems) and over their educational paths.

If I can give you any more information, please feel free to contact me

privately at anderson6@... .

Home schooling

>Hi to everyone. I've joined this group because my 12yr. old son has

>OCD. He was diagnosed when he was 8yrs old. We have tried many

>different " drugs " and had nightmare results with them all, especially

>Zoloft. But every child is different. He now does behavioural

>therapy with a great therapist and is doing so much better. However,

>(there's always that however isn't there?) right now he is having

>trouble coping in school. He is an A student & very sociable & well

>liked. He can't cope with the germs. He won't use the bathrooms at

>school, or drinking fountain and goes through torture in the boys

>change room after gym class.(all those sweaty grade 7s....germs). He

>panics over deadlines on assignments & worries every morning about

>being late for school. We had to get him exempt from art class

>because he can't stand glue on his hands & isn't a very good artist &

>felt inadequate. He has cried to me about home schooling being

>better for him & that he would still see all his friends but it would

>just be like he went to a different school. I have been checking

>out stuff about it on the net but my husband is really against it.

>Do any of you home school your children? I would love to hear from

>you. Sorry for the long post. Randi

>

>You may subscribe to the OCD-L by emailing listserv@... . In

the body of your message write: subscribe OCD-L your name. You may

subscribe to the Parents of Adults with OCD List at

parentsofadultswithOCD . You may access the

files, links, and archives for our list at

. Our list advisors are Tamar

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addressed to Louis Harkins, list owner, at harkins@... .

>

January 8, 2001

Randi:

My 12 yo son (6th grade) had a similar problem two years ago. Our pdoc said

home schooling would be the worst thing for him because it would just feed into

the avoidance behaviors. We worked out an arrangement for a modified school day

with increasing amounts of time being spent at school, and eventually he was

able to return to the classroom full-time. This is really no different from

ERP.

That being said, there are parents on the list who home school.

Jule in Cleveland

January 8, 2001

Hi Randi, there was a discussion about the pros and cons of homeschooling

OCD kids not too long ago on this list, you might like to search the

archives and read what was posted before.

From memory, most listers fell into one of two camps: that homeschooling is

great because it lowers the anxiety level and allows OCD kids to learn

without the distractions and compulsions that happen in the school setting,

or that homeschooling is bad for OCD kids because it is giving into the OCD,

and the belief that attending school is daily e & rp for school-based fears

and compulsions.

Though I considered homeschooling Kellen before there was OCD in the

picture, since her onset I've become commited to doing what it takes to keep

her in traditional school. I do think this experience provides good daily

E & RP and hones coping skills. I've sometimes found it tough to boss back my

maternal instinct to protect my child, and part of me likes the idea of

teaching her at home, away from teachers and others who may not understand

about OCD. But, like your son my daughter is very social and school is the

main opportunity children have to make and build friendships. Your son may

be disappointed to discover that his friends are busy and drift away without

daily contact in school and the unifying experiences that happen there.

Whichever decision is made, I would want to be certain I was doing the right

thing for my child and my family, rather than reacting to yet another

dictate from OCD. The more concessions made to OCD, the more it will

demand. That your son is pleading for homeschooling makes me suspect that

this is OCD's idea rather than his own. Also, that your husband is against

the idea will make this a more complicated decision for your family.

No need to apologize for the long post--we love 'em!

FWIW,

Kathy R in Indiana

----- Original Message -----

From: <randishelson@...>

> Hi to everyone. I've joined this group because my 12yr. old son has

> OCD. He was diagnosed when he was 8yrs old. We have tried many

> different " drugs " and had nightmare results with them all, especially

> Zoloft. But every child is different. He now does behavioural

> therapy with a great therapist and is doing so much better. However,

> (there's always that however isn't there?) right now he is having

> trouble coping in school. He is an A student & very sociable & well

> liked. He can't cope with the germs. He won't use the bathrooms at

> school, or drinking fountain and goes through torture in the boys

> change room after gym class.(all those sweaty grade 7s....germs). He

> panics over deadlines on assignments & worries every morning about

> being late for school. We had to get him exempt from art class

> because he can't stand glue on his hands & isn't a very good artist &

> felt inadequate. He has cried to me about home schooling being

> better for him & that he would still see all his friends but it would

> just be like he went to a different school. I have been checking

> out stuff about it on the net but my husband is really against it.

> Do any of you home school your children? I would love to hear from

> you. Sorry for the long post. Randi

January 8, 2001

" Kathy " <klr@...> wrote:

> Hi Randi, there was a discussion about the pros and cons of homeschooling

> OCD kids not too long ago on this list, you might like to search the

> archives and read what was posted before.

>

> From memory, most listers fell into one of two camps: that homeschooling

is

> great because it lowers the anxiety level and allows OCD kids to learn

> without the distractions and compulsions that happen in the school

setting,

> or that homeschooling is bad for OCD kids because it is giving into the

OCD,

> and the belief that attending school is daily e & rp for school-based fears

> and compulsions.

Again, the discussion on this list has been very thought provoking. Today

school finally resumed after a long Christmas break and yet it was with a

heavy heart that I had to force my son out the door and on to the school

bus. In desperation, home schooling begins to look attractive, but I know

that it is not feasible for a wide variety of reasons and we have always

wanted to keep in the regular school system, precisely because he

suffers such social anxiety. But I realize he cannot manage without more

meaningful intervention so I am watching for patterns now. Yesterday when I

came home from work, was in an uncharacteristically good mood. He

wanted to help with dinner and insisted it was time he learn to take care of

the dishes. Any other parent might have been pleased but I'm thinking

" anxiety " . The evening passed well but just before bed time he came in the

office with stomach ache. I told him it was just a little normal anxiety

about school (I know this symptom well myself). He insisted he was not

worried at all. We spent quiet time reading and I put him to bed. A series

upheavals ensued but all in all he fell asleep fairly easily and this

morning awoke readily, got dressed and ready for school. Already my spider

sense is tingling, to quote Spiderman. He stuffed his pockets with his

Gameboy and chords and other necessities and headed out. Tow minutes later

he was back on the door step, eyes wide hyperventilating, saying, " I can't

go. " I told him I had a meeting, he simply had to go but my I wish I could

have followed him as a fly on the wall to see what behaviours arise this

morning. I have decided I will ask his teacher tomorrow morning, but I will

wait to see what his day book records (his aide who keeps the daybook is

only there in the afternoon). I know that if left to his own devises

would never leave the house, so homeschooling would not be socially

stimulating enough. And this from my child who so easily stood in front of

our large congregation and took part in a Gospel reading at his sister's

First Communion this Fall. I know he is a beautiful and gifted child and it

troubles me to see him handicapped so. My goal is to carefully document his

home and school behaviour for a week or two (combined with reports from last

fall) before I approach the psychiatrist again. He just is not getting the

help he needs.

Sorry, I guess I just needed to vent.

ph

January 8, 2001

Hi ph, I'm sorry to hear you and your son had a tough first day back to

school. This is hard on any parent, no matter how committed to not enabling

OCD. The extended holiday break and summer vacation schedule many of our

children follow is hard on our sometimes inflexible kids, and allows too

much time for their fears to grow out of proportion IMO.

Something that's true of my child, and perhaps others as well, is that the

*idea* and anticipation of doing something can cause a very difficult time,

but when actually doing the thing, she is fine. Using the school example,

once there she functions well and is not nearly as bothered with anxiety and

compulsions as she often is at home. But seeing her anxious behavior as

she's getting ready to go, for a long while I felt I was sending her into a

hellish experience. At first I had a hard time believing the teachers who

told me she seemed fine to them--but the times I had the opportunity to be

the fly on the wall, I saw the same thing.

Taking good notes during rough patches to share with the doctor is something

I like to do. Seeing things in black and white, dated and so forth, gives

Kel's psychiatrist a solid understanding of her day-to-day experience.

Proper accomodations at school will help be successful during this

apparent worsening phase of his OCD.

Take care,

Kathy R in Indiana

----- Original Message -----

From: " J.M. Schreiber " <jmschrei@...>

> Again, the discussion on this list has been very thought provoking. Today

> school finally resumed after a long Christmas break and yet it was with a

> heavy heart that I had to force my son out the door and on to the school

> bus. In desperation, home schooling begins to look attractive, but I know

> that it is not feasible for a wide variety of reasons and we have always

> wanted to keep in the regular school system, precisely because he

> suffers such social anxiety. But I realize he cannot manage without more

> meaningful intervention so I am watching for patterns now.

January 8, 2001

HI Randi:

Have you asked your son's therapist to incorporate this symptoms asap in

his behaviro therapy. My son had very severe contamination symptoms and

got very caught up with avoidance, and the E & RP was the best way to go.

Some OCD experts feel that homeschooling is contraindicated for our kids

because it can be a form of enabling avoidance and makes it more difficult

for them to get better.

E & RP around contamination is particularly effective. Contamination OCD is

rather sticky and it can take a while for our beloved OCDers to learn to

recognize their fears as OCD and take appropriate action to expose

themselves to glue, etc. etc. GOod luck, take care, aloha, Kathy (H)

kathyh@...

At 08:05 AM 01/08/2001 +0000, you wrote: