APD and our Day

Auditory Processing Delay/ disorder (APD) is a learning disability which apparently affects quite a large number of children in our schools. Being home schoolers, this was not something I was familiar with. In my own childhood, there were kids who caught on more slowly, but everyone seemed to get there in the end. (I attended a 3 teacher primary school in CQ) .

When my older daughter hit 4 or 5 she was ready and rearing to go and after 3 months (using Sam Blumenfeld's Alpha Phonics) was reading everything in sight. She was the perfect first child. She read easily and loved it, comprehended well. loved to write her own stories, memorized amazingly long passages of scripture and poetry and handled the school work. She made me feel as though I could do this home schooling thing, and do it well!

Of course, every child is different and the three subsequent ones in my family have found it much more difficult. The second, a daughter, had the classic symptoms of floating letters, flashes across the page, headaches...She was eventually tested for dyslexia and Irlins Syndrome but never really fitted into any mould. She, very painstakingly learned to read, and worked about a year below age level through to high school.

The two boys I have at home now are 10 and 11 years old and read at about 6/7 age level (If you were comparing to school, fortunately we are not) Because they have Auditory Processing Delays they cannot discern between certain sounds or retain quite a lot of information. Where other children rely on memory in conjuction with Phonic sounds, they find memorizing the Phonics and whole words very difficult. They have gotten to an age where even at home they are very well aware that their friends are way ahead of them. We are dealing with a lot both academically and emotionally. Also, I find it stressful and often am concerned for how these young boys will mature and become men in the workforce.

Our Day

7.00 Breakfast , chores

7.45 Play

8.30 Bible, catechisms, prayer

9.00 Maths

9.30 Boys read to me/ I read to them

10.00 Phonics drills or games

10.30 Morning Tea

11.00 English or supplimental eg blends,

11.30 Social Studies/ Science

12.00 Phonics drills and games. reading

12.30 Lunch

1.30 Guitar/ art/ sport

A very simple schedule which is always flexible and can be very laborious. For example, not only are we working well below age level but after holiday breaks, it can be almost like going back to square one with phonic sounds.

When I began home schooling, 17 years ago, I was very much into delight directed learning and school days were a great educational and family building experience. I still love it, I am still whole heartedly committed to it, but for those of us who find each day a grind, much of the delight has gone out of it.

I am totally to committed to giving my sons the best start in life possible. Since I have a number of chronic health problems it hangs over us a little that should the day come that I can not continue with school that the boys would not slot easily or at all, into a school situation.

God's Providence

This is on my mind at present, more than normal, as I've had a couple of days stricken with sickness, mostly lying in bed, with little school work accomplished.(or housework for that matter)It is times like these, and we've had a few, where I have to really trust that the Lord does all things well, that this is the best for our family and that all things work together for good to them that love Him.

The boys spent the afternoon with one of their sisters and her son while I got some rest. They have come home delighted to have tea out and hey, they get plenty of child care experience.

What about you?

I would love to hear of the hurdles others have had to climb with learning at home and how the child involved has coped. I have wonderful support from the local home school group, in which I have been very active, but honestly, few seem to have had too many dramas with learning to read and other basics.