Like many of you, our family has a story. My oldest son is my inspiration. He is so very smart, but struggled in a traditional school setting. While still in public school, I was confused because the school told me he was an at risk reader, yet I would witness him reading encyclopedias at home. He had no idea how to do his math homework, yet seemed to have no trouble understanding my explanations at home. Time out forms for behavior came home several times a week. Then the meltdowns started. Eventually we gave up brick and mortal school and moved to an online charter school he could attend from home for his 4^th grade year.

The transition was rough. He couldn’t write a paragraph. He couldn’t even sit still long enough to read a social studies chapter or complete a math worksheet. Online live lessons were pointless as he couldn’t pay attention. I found myself sitting next to him all day long….and the days were long! With my constant prompting, he eventually got better at doing his schoolwork and we could have a normal 9am – 3pm day, but those first months were nightmarish.

Early on in these first days of online school, he had a chapter science test. He liked science so I don’t think much of it. We studied together and I orally tested him. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he was ready. I printed the test and gave it to him. Over the next several minutes watching him start his test, I saw a change start to come over him. He became jittery. He scrunched up his face. The anxiety took over and what followed close behind was a meltdown. He stormed away from the table angry and upset. He had failed the test. I was shocked and confused. There was no explanation.

There was no time to speculate what had just happened as he had an occupational therapy appointment immediately after. He saw the therapist for a myriad of issues ranging from ADHD to dysgraphia (trouble physically writing). She saw both of us were upset and asked about it. I told her what has just happened. Without skipping a beat she has an idea and asked me if I could pull up the test.

We went to her therapy room, laptop in hand. She told my son to go play on the swing which he happily did. I retrieved the test and she told me to start reading the multiple choice test to my child. I began.

At first, he was not really interested in this stupid test he has just failed, but we cajoled him into trying. He didn't have to stop swinging, we told him, and so he agreed. He swung harder as if to show us he was going to hold us to our promise. I read the first question and the possible choices, and he answered...correctly. The therapist urged me to continue. I read the next question, and the next and the next.

Correct, correct, correct.

Eventually he started telling me the answers before I could even read the choices. He just swung on that swing, never stopping, and we eventually ran out of questions. We had finished and he had earned a perfect score on this test that only an hour before, he had failed miserably.

Not all children learn the same.

Not all children perform the same.
Children are unique and learn differently.

Learning how a child learns best and performs best is crucial to education. This is my core belief, and this is how I approach every new child who comes to me for help.

To finish the story, I completely changed how my child would learn. We eventually dropped the online school and went to traditional homeschooling. I spent years working with an ADHD coach learning how to help children learn who struggle with focus or executive functioning issues. Eight years later, this amazing ADHD, autistic child of mine still homeschools for High School partially, but also was accepted into a college dual enrollment program where he is on the Dean's list. Not only did he test into the program, but he spends many hours writing essays independently. My inspiration continues to inspire me every day with what is possible.