My name is Kari and I am a first time home schooler for 09-10 year. I am home schooling my 6th grader who has Asperger's. I am in the thralls of figuring out which books I want to use. I just wanted to quickly introduce myself and say hi. (I'm the one peppering the board with all the questions, :lol:! Kari

I know I have been peppering this board with questions, but I appreciate all your responses. I'm a first time home schooler home schooling a 6th grade child with Asperger's. He's very advanced on some subjects and not on others, so I am really struggling at finding the right curriculum for him. Plus, I'm not very rich, so buying curriculum is really hard to do. I was wondering how to compare the 7th grade Apologia General Science book with the grade school Apologia books. Are the grade school ones challenging in and of themselves, or would you consider using the upper grade ones for a child advanced in Science and math? Thanks, Kari

Has anyone used Rod and Staff for their grammar? My mom used it on me, but I don't remember anything about it except that it was either yellow or blue!:lol: Thanks, Kari

I have discovered that Joshua's atrocious handwriting could possibly come from Aspergers. Joshua is in sixth grade and I was wondering if any of you have found a good curriculum to help their special needs child have better handwriting. Thanks. Kari P.S. Most people have just told me to go to computer and keyboarding, but I feel that he needs to learn to write neater because he needs to be able to fill out forms and sign his name properly when he is older.

I just wanted to get some feedback on the diagnoses process for Asperger's. I have known for some time that my Joshua has problems. Ever since he was 2 I suspected ADHD, and sure enough when he was six he was properly diagnosed with that. But the ADHD doesn't cover all his quirks, and recently his Psychiatrist has brought up the subject of Asperger's. He seems to fit a lot of the characteristics, but has no sensory issues or rituals. He obsesses over things, has a lot of social issues, kind of lives in his own world. For a while he wouldn't want to be touched, but seems to have grown out of that. What annoys me the most is that he acts like a little professor. He spouts off random facts to anyone who will listen and will get into arguments with adults when they don't agree with his facts. A serious aspect to his issues, whether it's asperger's or not, is that he has a serious lack of judgement. For instance, if he wants something he will take it regardless of his training about stealing. It's like I am raising a three year old who will never grow up. Well, I didn't mean for this to turn into a rant. I'm mostly curious about the diagnoses process because we have an appointment in October to have him assessed and diagnosed. I also would like to know if any of you have experienced the lack of judgment on the part of their Asperger's children. Thanks for your help. Kari

I was wondering if you all could give me some ideas for teaching spelling, grammar, and vocabulary for sixth grade. My son is actually probably at a 5th grade for spelling and grammar and advanced for vocabulary. (I'm not sure how advanced.) When I was home schooled we had Wordly Wise, but I'm not even sure that is in existence anymore. These are my son's least favorite subjects, so I would need something that might "jazz up" the subject a little. Thanks, Kari