I have a son with severe ADHD, borderline Aspie as well. Lots of good recs already, but what has helped most is simply knowing that what works for "most" people won't necessarily work for me, and that "common wisdom" may or may not be helpful when it comes to my ds. I have no doubt he'll turn out to be a wonderful (if unusual) adult, if we can all only survive his childhood. Hugs, and take care!

:iagree: What they said. There are some obnoxious idiots in an crowd, this one being no exception. Please try your best to forget and let it go, and know that the rest of us are in support of you. Ugh. Such ugliness. How sad for them to need to be so nasty.

Shiny!

That looks cool! He works at a comic store on his "day off", but I can call the owner and find out if he already ordered/bought it. Thanks! Any other ideas, friends?

Thanks! Great minds think alike-- I got him a bunch of stuff from ThinkGeek last year. But I know that he's perused their catalog recently... so I'm looking even farther afield. ThinkGeek is my fall-back though--if I don't have another brilliant idea soon, he's getting a lot of things from there again.

I've gotten great ideas from the boards in years past.... any new ones? The best idea I have thus far is to get him a sculpted figure made from his favorite RockBand character, but I'll have to get him to help me do that, so it wouldn't be a surprise. He loves surprises. Usually I do books, video games, etc. Last year I had a Dr. Who theme (t-shirts, sonic screwdriver, etc). I'm stumped. Help me, Obi Wan!

Paperback books, small electronics (new headphones, flash drive, etc.), collectable card games.

I also like Bookmarks Magazine -- http://www.bookmarksmagazine.com/ It is a wonderful collection of various reviews, with "reviews" and articles on classic authors as well. Smithsonian National Geographic Utne Reader is always great as well ... http://www.utne.com/reader.aspx lots of thought provoking articles from alternative press magazines. For history buffs, I love BBC History magazine. Not deep, but lots of short articles kind of like Mental Floss, and so fun to browse each month. http://www.bbchistorymagazine.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1 I do love magazines!

We just played as a family (just the four of us) last night... the Cities and Knights expansion is fun... we also have a mix of all the editions, all kept in a big Catan bin.

OK, I know I've posted on this before, but I am a dummy. I can't find the best/easiest sock patterns. On the net I can find toe-up, toe-down, knit flat, etc, etc... but I simply don't know enough about them to pick which one is best for a novice! I've done my homework in the past month-- I've now made four, yes, four dishclothes of a variety of patterns--I can knit, purl, yarn over in a variety of ways, left twist, right twist, etc. So I'm a beginner, but now I have a variety of stitches down well in the flat. Please, please, please think I am a very dull girl indeed, and give me some clear advice--which is the best sock pattern to start with? (I'll take it as read that this is just your opinion, etc). I've gotten so many ideas and links and I don't have the experience to choose. So all you advanced folks pick for me, and I'll start! Here is what I have: double ended needles sized 2 self-striping sock yarn a small circular needle (9 inches?), sized 2 What I want: to make socks, don't need to have a fancy pattern (plain flat socks are fine), using my double needles preferably--or the small circular one if I don't have to make 2 at once, which makes my head spin I have no idea what size they will turn out, or how to gauge that, and at this point I'll make any sized socks for any sized person, as long as the pattern is simple.

I think it is a regional thing... I'm close to Michelle here in So Cal, we rent, and our rent is over 50% of my take home. If we wanted it to be 20%, we could maybe live in a cardboard box under an overpass somewhere.

I think the curriculum board is designed to be just that. This is a "chat" board. If you look at the latest poll over there, it does indeed look like WTM is the most popular form of homeschooling in those who responded, although "doing what works" is number one, most mention WTM as their starting point.

Sorry... I was seconding "Elements with Style".

I second that! My ds6 LOVES this book! I think it is the fact that the elements look like Pokemon... but it inspired a huge interest in chemistry that has led to many other books. We also have the playing cards, and printed out and laminated some fun tables--Kristina lists many below.

Because there are people who really don't like Jim Weiss' voice. My kids happen to love him, and we're thrilled with the newer versions.

I put down WTM because that was my starting point... but truthfully I've learned more about specific curriculum choices from doing research myself and asking on the boards. However, the recommendations I've found on the boards usually fit into a "slot" recommended in WTM, and replace a resource from there. So I still think of WTM as my foundation. Looking at my 2nd grader, it really does look like there's a lot to be gleaned around here: SOTW 2 -- WTM GWG4 -- boards SWO E -- boards EPGY Math -- boards -- remember KPzz? she spoke so highly of it as the best program for an accelerated child, I would never have checked it out otherwise Minimus Secundus -- boards, soon to start Latin Prep from the boards MP Greek Myths -- found in catalog SE Earth Science -- boards -- I'd never have looked at school texts on my own Nanowrimo -- dh found online, has done for years; will be back to CW, from the boards, soon Trail Guide World Geography -- boards Explorer Bible Study -- boards Drawing with Children -- WTM Read alouds this year so far are versions of Beowulf & Arthurian legends, WTM

I think this just goes with the territory. We've worked hard on ds6 and appropriate statments, but the truth is it must be hard not to say, "Yeah, I'm smart" when adults constantly tell you that. We went to the doctor the other day, and he was told he was smart by a woman in the waiting room, a receptionist, an x-ray technician and the doctor himself. Often these comments are addressed to me as the parent, as in "Wow! Your son is so smart!" Years ago I asked about this on the board, and everyone said that people will stop commenting as he gets older. Not yet, unfortunately. I struggle to get him not to answer things like "Yes, I know I am." It sounds cocky, no matter what the intent. Frankly, even as an adult compliments are tricky things. I do occasionally have people tell me that I'm smart. Generally I smile and say, "I'm happy to hear you think so. I don't always feel that way." But still, I feel weird and I'm not sure how to handle it--so why wouldn't a 6 year old have a hard time dealing with it gracefully. Now if someone tells me I look nice, I'm all about the "Thanks!" and can take it without a second thought. All that to say, I think some of these issues will eventually go away. Social graces simply don't keep up with intellectual development in these asynchronous kids. Model what you want, and hope it sticks. Some day, it will. When they reach adulthood, at the very least.

I got a 37% and 7%. We got married at 22, which fell into the lowest category... around here I usually feel like we married so old! We had both been college graduates for over a year, can't we be in the next category up? Well, nonetheless... isn't around 50% average?

There is no math in Level 1. Lots of the writing can be done orally (reviewing definitions, etc). My science-crazy 6yo has been reading and absorbing the text on his own. We didn't do pre-level 1, so I can't really compare... but I personally was impressed by his grasp of covalent vs. ionic bonds--my dh does most of the teaching, so I don't always know what he's covered. He chose to read it on his own in addition to our Earth Science curriculum, and just adores it. I do have to say--not that much content. I think he's had it a month or so, and has read through it more than once. JMHO -- If your dd can ask how atoms stick together, and intuit the electron cloud, I'd dive in. It's the cognitive ability to grasp the concepts that would limit her appreciation of the text, not the reading/math/writing level. If anyone knows what I should do next year for chemistry when we've already finished RS4K level 1, I'd appreciate any input as well! How to find something with the real science, but still kid "friendly"...?

The new Yo Yo Ma album is really nice... http://www.amazon.com/Songs-of-Joy-Peace/dp/B001BN1V8U

My skip (1st grade) was a good thing for me, too. I only wish I could have skipped the three years the school suggested, rather than the one my parents allowed. That said... there is lots of evidence out there that the outcome of acceleration (including "skipping") is dependant on many things, including the level of giftedness of the child. Definately go and read "A Nation Deceived"--summarizing tons of research on acceleration. Anecdotal evidence is one thing, but they have a lot more evidence supporting acceleration than you've recieved here. http://www.accelerationinstitute.org/Nation_Deceived/

was my parents (joking) mantra during my childhood. The only problem--I really thought that everyone was required to go to medical school. Be a ballerina--medical school first, then ballet school. A lawyer would do medical school first, then law school. Etc. I discovered as a teen that this was not the case, but regardless I only dared to change my major from pre-med AFTER I was at college. :glare:

Oh no! (((Ria))) take it gently today. Accidents are so scary... the emotional after-stuff is always bad for me, at least.

I know... I was so looking forward to November, now we have to wait another seven months. I'm not sure I can handle it. Guess I'll have to read the book.... again!

http://www.newsarama.com/common/media/video.php?aid=24276 I'm giddy!! Wahoo!