Homeschooling mentally retarded children.

[Wannabefree]

I have a friend whose childs IQ is 79. she is 13. They are trying to make her go to high School. This kid has many issues, including fetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD, and she is like a 3 year old. Physically other than a heart defect and high blood pressure, she is normal.

What I want to know is what homeschool curriculum would be appropriate that does not cost much or is free? The family is very very well below the poverty level. They really NEED a free resource for her, but may be able to get some church assistance. The child does not need to be in a public school due to her IQ being just high enough they want to put her in regular classes and she will get lost in the school. What can the mother do?

 

[big brown horse]

Isn't that borderline mentally retarded? My 14 yo daughter's full scale iq is 78 (right now--brain injury 5 months ago, she is still recovering) and her neuro psych eval stated it used to be called "borderline mentally retarded". There is a new name for it now, but still one step up from being mentally retarded.

She said that she should be treated/taught/disciplined as if she were a 10-11 year old child for the time being.

Anyway, we have been doing a ton here at home via her speech pathologist to get her brain caught back up. If you want I can list the activities. Your friend can pretty much make the activities from scratch. I already have noticed a major difference.

What kind of heart defect does she have? My daughter had one too.

How good is the school district?

 

[big brown horse]

Ok just read your edit...

Wont the child be put in special education courses in public school? Where does she go to school now? High school already, isn't that young?

 

[Wannabefree]

Isn't that borderline mentally retarded? My 14 yo daughter's full scale iq is 78 (right now--brain injury 5 months ago, she is still recovering) and her neuro psych eval stated it used to be called "borderline mentally retarded". There is a new name for it now, but still one step up from being mentally retarded.

She said that she should be treated/taught/disciplined as if she were a 10-11 year old child for the time being.

Anyway, we have been doing a ton here at home via her speech pathologist to get her brain caught back up. If you want I can list the activities. Your friend can pretty much make the activities from scratch. I already have noticed a major difference.

What kind of heart defect does she have? My daughter had one too.

How good is the school district?

I don't know maybe borderline...second hand info

She has a hole in her heart, congenital defect.

School district...how do I put this politely.....ummmm..I cant, they suck.

This child forgets how to add. She forgets how to tie her shoes, forgets how to dress herself, still puts her clothes on backwards, can change her feminine products by herself because she forgets how etc. etc. She can not be running around with normal kids without supervision. her mom is frantic. She has been fondled by a boy on the bus and in the classroom because she thought it was okay. She just does not "get it" and her mother fears she will wind up pregnant.

 

[Wannabefree]

Ok just read your edit...

Wont the child be put in special education courses in public school? Where does she go to school now? High school already, isn't that young?

They want her out of special education They say she's "too smart" to be in those classes and want to put her in the "slow" classes with kids with simpler learning disabilities, but mentally she is WAYYYY behind those children. Yes, high school, 9th grade, next year. her mom wants to get a jump on figuring out her options. She wants her home, because she no longer feels school will be a safe environment. Because of her IQ she is slipping through the cracks between the classes WITH and WITHOUT proper supervision for her mental capacity.

 

[big brown horse]

Isn't that borderline mentally retarded? My 14 yo daughter's full scale iq is 78 (right now--brain injury 5 months ago, she is still recovering) and her neuro psych eval stated it used to be called "borderline mentally retarded". There is a new name for it now, but still one step up from being mentally retarded.

She said that she should be treated/taught/disciplined as if she were a 10-11 year old child for the time being.

Anyway, we have been doing a ton here at home via her speech pathologist to get her brain caught back up. If you want I can list the activities. Your friend can pretty much make the activities from scratch. I already have noticed a major difference.

What kind of heart defect does she have? My daughter had one too.

How good is the school district?

I don't know maybe borderline...second hand info

She has a hole in her heart, congenital defect.

School district...how do I put this politely.....ummmm..I cant, they suck.

This child forgets how to add. She forgets how to tie her shoes, forgets how to dress herself, still puts her clothes on backwards, can change her feminine products by herself because she forgets how etc. etc. She can not be running around with normal kids without supervision. her mom is frantic. She has been fondled by a boy on the bus and in the classroom because she thought it was okay. She just does not "get it" and her mother fears she will wind up pregnant.

Yeah, I'd keep that child home with me where she would be safe. I totally understand.

Has she had a neuro psych eval preformed? Do they have insurance or medicaid? If so she should get one done if she hasn't. It will tell her exactly what to do to help with teaching her child, what level she is on and how to help with memory etc.

Does the child still have a hole in her heart? Sam had 2! Both are closed now though via surgery. But still that effected the oxygen levels going to her brain...plus the sleep apnea isnt helping. Anyway...

I can explain what Sam does in speech to help improve her memory skills etc.

 

[big brown horse]

P.S give that friend a big hug. I know first hand how hard of a job this has been for her. Fortunately for me, I've only had to deal with it for the last 5 months.

 

[Wannabefree]

She has insurance, Medicaid I believe. I don't know if she has had a psych eval. That should be done though I agree. Personally I think the child was misdiagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome and is autistic. She has too many issues that don't measure up to FAS. They just need to get her in to a specialist, but gas prices are keeping them from doing much of anything at the moment. Their car is an old gas hog, and any specialist is a minimum one hour drive from where we live, likely would be either Memphis or Nashville which is 2 and 3 hours away. Her mom is disabled with severe deteriorated disks in her lower back, which makes the ride rough on her and the dad has ADHD as well making the trips a chore to begin with. She just feels so hopeless.

 

[Wannabefree]

P.S give that friend a big hug. I know first hand how hard of a job this has been for her. Fortunately for me, I've only had to deal with it for the last 5 months.

It is rough and the IEP's upset her when she goes to those meetings. It is a sad situation for the child and mom. I told her i would find out all I can for her and look for programs she could do with her at home.

 

[big brown horse]

You might be right. My daughter can actually fit in with the other kids in her classes. She is very independent too. There is not much of a difference since the trauma right now than her old self. It is subtle, like her maturity level is lacking, she is a bit more emotional and her memory skills took a hit. Other than that she is just like she used to be.

Good luck to that family and the mom. If I were there I would drive them myself. Gosh, that is really sad, it just breaks my heart.

There is a lot she can do though at home. Hope that helps a little.