10-year-old son with OCD

[Guest guest]

We need help!! Live in Florida and have a 10-year-old son with OCD, severe

panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, and they say he may have ADHD but I

am not so sure. I think it is the OCD that is overtaking all of our lives. My

son has such severe panic attacks that he has become agoraphobic and will not go

to school and he now has panic attacks just to go to the doctor appointments!

He goes for CBT therapy but the breathing exercises and clenching fist

techniques are not helping whatsoever. He had an initial evaluation with a

psychiatrist and then one 15-minute visit after that when he was prescribed

Zoloft 25 mg once a day. Then, that psychiatrist was gone as she was only

temporary there at the facility. Ever since he has been on the Zoloft his

symptoms have just gotten worse, although the new psychiatrist he was assigned

who has only seen my son " once " for 15 minutes says he is on the right

medication for his anxiety. He does not even know my son or the hell we are all

going through. At that visit, I explained how worse his symptoms have become,

that he does not go to school, and if forced, it becomes very physical in our

home to do so. The little amount he is in school he cannot concentrate anyway

because he is panicking and he is so worked up...he cries, sweats, shakes, teeth

chatter, he vomits, has to go to the bathroom. He is totally beside himself.

He spends about 20 minutes in his class and then gets so worked up that guidance

has to come and get him and he spends the remainder of school in the guidance

office doing what work they can seem to get him to do. He says he feels trapped

and anxious in the classroom and feels like he has to go to the bathroom and

that he makes him more anxious. Anyway, at that doctor visit, the doctor

prescribed him Vistaril to help " calm and relax " him of which it has done

neither. We looked into homebound schooling for him to do for now but neither

the psychiatrist or his pediatrician will sign the form needed to get this

started. The " psychiatrist " does not feel he needs it and the pediatrician

thinks it will be used as a " crutch " in order to not go to school. Friday, we

received a call from a social worker who says we will be receiving a letter in

the mail informing us that we have so many days to get my son back to school or

they will have to take legal action. This is a medical issue and we seem to be

getting the help we need to help our son. We are extremely frustrated with the

psychiatrist as he seems to not even care what our son is going through and that

he is just there to prescribe meds and that's it. We are looking into getting a

second opinion for our son with a doctor that actually " cares " about their

patients. Any suggestions for help on this matter would be greatly

appreciated!!

[Guest guest]

I'm new here and not qualified to offer much.

But re: homeschooling -- maybe that's a good interim/temporary solution until

your son gets more regulated. His well-being is certainly more important than

the 3 R's in this moment, and you do not need this battle on top of the stress

you already have regarding your son's anxiety. I'm so sorry that this is piling

up on you.

The laws for homeschooling are different for each state. You might check to see

what the laws are in yours. In NC a family can register to homeschool anytime

they see fit. I hope this is so in your state as well.

Warmly,

Noel

>

> We need help!! Live in Florida and have a 10-year-old son with OCD, severe

panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, and they say he may have ADHD but I

am not so sure. I think it is the OCD that is overtaking all of our lives. My

son has such severe panic attacks that he has become agoraphobic and will not go

to school and he now has panic attacks just to go to the doctor appointments!

He goes for CBT therapy but the breathing exercises and clenching fist

techniques are not helping whatsoever. He had an initial evaluation with a

psychiatrist and then one 15-minute visit after that when he was prescribed

Zoloft 25 mg once a day. Then, that psychiatrist was gone as she was only

temporary there at the facility. Ever since he has been on the Zoloft his

symptoms have just gotten worse, although the new psychiatrist he was assigned

who has only seen my son " once " for 15 minutes says he is on the right

medication for his anxiety. He does not even know my son or the hell we are all

going through. At that visit, I explained how worse his symptoms have become,

that he does not go to school, and if forced, it becomes very physical in our

home to do so. The little amount he is in school he cannot concentrate anyway

because he is panicking and he is so worked up...he cries, sweats, shakes, teeth

chatter, he vomits, has to go to the bathroom. He is totally beside himself.

He spends about 20 minutes in his class and then gets so worked up that guidance

has to come and get him and he spends the remainder of school in the guidance

office doing what work they can seem to get him to do. He says he feels trapped

and anxious in the classroom and feels like he has to go to the bathroom and

that he makes him more anxious. Anyway, at that doctor visit, the doctor

prescribed him Vistaril to help " calm and relax " him of which it has done

neither. We looked into homebound schooling for him to do for now but neither

the psychiatrist or his pediatrician will sign the form needed to get this

started. The " psychiatrist " does not feel he needs it and the pediatrician

thinks it will be used as a " crutch " in order to not go to school. Friday, we

received a call from a social worker who says we will be receiving a letter in

the mail informing us that we have so many days to get my son back to school or

they will have to take legal action. This is a medical issue and we seem to be

getting the help we need to help our son. We are extremely frustrated with the

psychiatrist as he seems to not even care what our son is going through and that

he is just there to prescribe meds and that's it. We are looking into getting a

second opinion for our son with a doctor that actually " cares " about their

patients. Any suggestions for help on this matter would be greatly

appreciated!!

>

[Guest guest]

Oh Boy, that's a tough situation you are in! While I can't say I relate to all

of your post, I relate to almost all of it.

Our son was also so severe he did in fact have to stop school. It is however, a

tough call. The challenge is that once they stop it's hard to get them back.

So, it's possible that the practioner may be thinking in these terms. But, if

your son is so severe that schoolwork, and therefore being at school, is

pointless, then to my thinking it's not even a choice. This was our situation.

I would think that the teachers or support staff having to deal with your son at

school should be able to speak to the situation they find with your son at

school. Otherwise I would seek out a psychologist who specializes in OCD,

rather than a psychiatrist perhaps, to get their advise and hopefully

recommendation to have a temporary absensce from school or to apply for

homebound instruction.

While psychiatrists can diagnose and prescribe medication they rarely treat OCD.

It is a psychologist who would do ERP based CBT(cognitive behavior therapy),

which is the treatment for OCD.

Re medication, 25mg is only a starting dose. It can go as high as 200mg, and it

is typically the higher doses that are needed to treat OCD. It generally takes

three months at the optimal dose to see substantial improvement, so it takes

time. However, often there is some improvement sooner, or if there are negative

side effects a different ssri is tried. It can be a trial of several ssri's

before finding one that is a good fit, sometimes.

If the vistaril is not helping ask for something else, there are other options.

One of the atypicals works for some, or a benzodiazam(SP?), for short term use

perhaps.

There is a program at one of the universities of hospitals somewhere in Florida

that specializes in the treatment of OCD. You might check the ocfoundation.org

website to see if it is listed there, plus any psychologist names in your area.

Or make a post with the question in the subject line, psychologists in _______

in Florida. I have seen others in this group post about this centre, sorry I

can't remember the name, but remember it was very specialized and many had good

success. Think there might have been a research component, so that might offset

costs.

I really feel for you. You are at a crisis point with all of this and need some

answers. It is unfortunate that the professionals have let you down so much.

Know that there are others out there and keep looking to find them.

Sending you many cyber hugs!!!

Barb

Canada

Son, 19, OCD, LD plus - doing quite well over 2yrs.

>

> We need help!! Live in Florida and have a 10-year-old son with OCD, severe

panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, and they say he may have ADHD but I

am not so sure. I think it is the OCD that is overtaking all of our lives. My

son has such severe panic attacks that he has become agoraphobic and will not go

to school and he now has panic attacks just to go to the doctor appointments!

He goes for CBT therapy but the breathing exercises and clenching fist

techniques are not helping whatsoever. He had an initial evaluation with a

psychiatrist and then one 15-minute visit after that when he was prescribed

Zoloft 25 mg once a day. Then, that psychiatrist was gone as she was only

temporary there at the facility. Ever since he has been on the Zoloft his

symptoms have just gotten worse, although the new psychiatrist he was assigned

who has only seen my son " once " for 15 minutes says he is on the right

medication for his anxiety. He does not even know my son or the hell we are all

going through. At that visit, I explained how worse his symptoms have become,

that he does not go to school, and if forced, it becomes very physical in our

home to do so. The little amount he is in school he cannot concentrate anyway

because he is panicking and he is so worked up...he cries, sweats, shakes, teeth

chatter, he vomits, has to go to the bathroom. He is totally beside himself.

He spends about 20 minutes in his class and then gets so worked up that guidance

has to come and get him and he spends the remainder of school in the guidance

office doing what work they can seem to get him to do. He says he feels trapped

and anxious in the classroom and feels like he has to go to the bathroom and

that he makes him more anxious. Anyway, at that doctor visit, the doctor

prescribed him Vistaril to help " calm and relax " him of which it has done

neither. We looked into homebound schooling for him to do for now but neither

the psychiatrist or his pediatrician will sign the form needed to get this

started. The " psychiatrist " does not feel he needs it and the pediatrician

thinks it will be used as a " crutch " in order to not go to school. Friday, we

received a call from a social worker who says we will be receiving a letter in

the mail informing us that we have so many days to get my son back to school or

they will have to take legal action. This is a medical issue and we seem to be

getting the help we need to help our son. We are extremely frustrated with the

psychiatrist as he seems to not even care what our son is going through and that

he is just there to prescribe meds and that's it. We are looking into getting a

second opinion for our son with a doctor that actually " cares " about their

patients. Any suggestions for help on this matter would be greatly

appreciated!!

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, so sorry things are that bad and the school certainly isn't sounding

supportive at all! Neither are the doctors much. Poor little guy!

Sounds like he needs another medication for his panic/anxiety. I would ask

about switching, trying another one.

The Zoloft isn't yet at an effective dosage, probably, as the dosage can go up

to around 200mg to treat OCD. But of course we want to used the *least* amount

that is effective, so there is room to go up. OCD will sometimes increase when

starting a medication, but would think that would stop after a couple weeks or

so; actually that can be a sign the medication will work well.

Do you feel it is more panic about the school? Or does his OCD worry about

something there - contamination or fear of vomiting or... - that stops him from

wanting to go? Panic/anxiety alone can do this, just wondering if something

specific he knows that triggers his OCD there.

Does he have an IEP at school? If so, I'd call a meeting to talk about the

current situation and how to get services for your son, accommodate him, to help

him get back to school.

Have you looked at the OCD Foundation website for any therapists they have

listed there? Look at all that is listed there under " Find Help " . I know there

are programs in Florida, hopefully something near you!

(((hugs))) Wish I could think of more to offer right now, some solutions!

>

> We need help!! Live in Florida and have a 10-year-old son with OCD, severe

panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, and they say he may have ADHD but I

am not so sure. I think it is the OCD that is overtaking all of our lives. My

son has such severe panic attacks that he has become agoraphobic and will not go

to school and he now has panic attacks just to go to the doctor appointments!

He goes for CBT therapy but the breathing exercises and clenching fist

techniques are not helping whatsoever. He had an initial evaluation with a

psychiatrist and then one 15-minute visit after that when he was prescribed

Zoloft 25 mg once a day. Then, that psychiatrist was gone as she was only

temporary there at the facility. Ever since he has

[Guest guest]

I am not sure if anyone has suggested this yet - but Dr. Storch's group in

FL is one of the best. They also have a skype option, but given your son's

severity, I would plan to go there as quickly as possible. They are in Tampa.

You can email to: USF Dr. Storch estorch@...

in NC

>

> We need help!! Live in Florida and have a 10-year-old son with OCD, severe

panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, and they say he may have ADHD but I

am not so sure. I think it is the OCD that is overtaking all of our lives. My

son has such severe panic attacks that he has become agoraphobic and will not go

to school and he now has panic attacks just to go to the doctor appointments!

He goes for CBT therapy but the breathing exercises and clenching fist

techniques are not helping whatsoever. He had an initial evaluation with a

psychiatrist and then one 15-minute visit after that when he was prescribed

Zoloft 25 mg once a day. Then, that psychiatrist was gone as she was only

temporary there at the facility. Ever since he has been on the Zoloft his

symptoms have just gotten worse, although the new psychiatrist he was assigned

who has only seen my son " once " for 15 minutes says he is on the right

medication for his anxiety. He does not even know my son or the hell we are all

going through. At that visit, I explained how worse his symptoms have become,

that he does not go to school, and if forced, it becomes very physical in our

home to do so. The little amount he is in school he cannot concentrate anyway

because he is panicking and he is so worked up...he cries, sweats, shakes, teeth

chatter, he vomits, has to go to the bathroom. He is totally beside himself.

He spends about 20 minutes in his class and then gets so worked up that guidance

has to come and get him and he spends the remainder of school in the guidance

office doing what work they can seem to get him to do. He says he feels trapped

and anxious in the classroom and feels like he has to go to the bathroom and

that he makes him more anxious. Anyway, at that doctor visit, the doctor

prescribed him Vistaril to help " calm and relax " him of which it has done

neither. We looked into homebound schooling for him to do for now but neither

the psychiatrist or his pediatrician will sign the form needed to get this

started. The " psychiatrist " does not feel he needs it and the pediatrician

thinks it will be used as a " crutch " in order to not go to school. Friday, we

received a call from a social worker who says we will be receiving a letter in

the mail informing us that we have so many days to get my son back to school or

they will have to take legal action. This is a medical issue and we seem to be

getting the help we need to help our son. We are extremely frustrated with the

psychiatrist as he seems to not even care what our son is going through and that

he is just there to prescribe meds and that's it. We are looking into getting a

second opinion for our son with a doctor that actually " cares " about their

patients. Any suggestions for help on this matter would be greatly

appreciated!!

>

[Guest guest]

I can't address the school issues because I have not been there. I am in

Tampa. Where in Florida are you?

First of all, it does seem like you need a second opinion. Can you find a

doctor who understands OCD? The pediatrician will not really have a clue.

My daughter is on zoloft also and she is currently taking 150 mg. She was

started at 25 and moved up to 50, 75, 100 and 125. It seems like she got an

increase of 25 mg every 30 days or so. I was also told that it takes time

to get into their systems before it does any good. 125 mgs seems to be

working well for my daughter but I don't think she has as an extreme case as

your son. I am so sorry for him. It's heart breaking.

I don't know much about home schooling, but I do know that Florida has a

great virtual school. I don't know if it has an age limit, like, for

example, if they have to be in high school to take virtual classes.

Something to look into. I think if you google Florida Virtual School you'll

find the website.

As far as your son being homeschooled turning out to be a crutch, I suppose

that could be argued. But if he is nonfunctional in a traditional school I

don't think that's good either. He needs to be under the care of a good OCD

doctor who can work with him and perhaps get him back into traditional

school, if that's what you decide is best for him, but I don't know forcing

him to go to avoid a " crutch " is the right thing to do either. Is he being

seen by a psychologist at all? I do agree that psychiatrists do not really

treat the OCD.

If you are in or near Tampa, get in touch with Dr. Stortch. He's got a

clinic that specializes in OCD.

>

>

> We need help!! Live in Florida and have a 10-year-old son with OCD, severe

> panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, and they say he may have ADHD

> but I am not so sure. I think it is the OCD that is overtaking all of our

> lives. My son has such severe panic attacks that he has become agoraphobic

> and will not go to school and he now has panic attacks just to go to the

> doctor appointments! He goes for CBT therapy but the breathing exercises and

> clenching fist techniques are not helping whatsoever. He had an initial

> evaluation with a psychiatrist and then one 15-minute visit after that when

> he was prescribed Zoloft 25 mg once a day. Then, that psychiatrist was gone

> as she was only temporary there at the facility. Ever since he has been on

> the Zoloft his symptoms have just gotten worse, although the new

> psychiatrist he was assigned who has only seen my son " once " for 15 minutes

> says he is on the right medication for his anxiety. He does not even know my

> son or the hell we are all going through. At that visit, I explained how

> worse his symptoms have become, that he does not go to school, and if

> forced, it becomes very physical in our home to do so. The little amount he

> is in school he cannot concentrate anyway because he is panicking and he is

> so worked up...he cries, sweats, shakes, teeth chatter, he vomits, has to go

> to the bathroom. He is totally beside himself. He spends about 20 minutes in

> his class and then gets so worked up that guidance has to come and get him

> and he spends the remainder of school in the guidance office doing what work

> they can seem to get him to do. He says he feels trapped and anxious in the

> classroom and feels like he has to go to the bathroom and that he makes him

> more anxious. Anyway, at that doctor visit, the doctor prescribed him

> Vistaril to help " calm and relax " him of which it has done neither. We

> looked into homebound schooling for him to do for now but neither the

> psychiatrist or his pediatrician will sign the form needed to get this

> started. The " psychiatrist " does not feel he needs it and the pediatrician

> thinks it will be used as a " crutch " in order to not go to school. Friday,

> we received a call from a social worker who says we will be receiving a

> letter in the mail informing us that we have so many days to get my son back

> to school or they will have to take legal action. This is a medical issue

> and we seem to be getting the help we need to help our son. We are extremely

> frustrated with the psychiatrist as he seems to not even care what our son

> is going through and that he is just there to prescribe meds and that's it.

> We are looking into getting a second opinion for our son with a doctor that

> actually " cares " about their patients. Any suggestions for help on this

> matter would be greatly appreciated!!

>

>

>

--

M. , RPR, CLR, FPR, CMRS

Reporting Service, Inc.

1101 Channelside Drive, Suite 261

Tampa, Florida 33602

Telephone:

Fax:

Cell:

Website: www.clarkreporting.com

Administration email: clarkrptg@...

Personal email: cindy@... or cindy.clarkreporting@...

[Guest guest]

Thanks Noel!  Will look into this.  My husband and I both work full-time, but

I

can cut back on my hours if I need to.  I definitely cannot stop working

altogether if that is what it entails to homeschool.  I was also looking into

virtual online schooling, but they say their enrollment process is closed at

this time.  Told me to check back next month when their second semester will

start up.  Feel as though we are hitting one brick wall after another.  Called

a

psychologist in our area that specializes in OCD/anxiety so left a message and

will hopefully hear from them tomorrow.  I just hope we can get an appointment

soon.  Thanks again.

________________________________

To:

Sent: Mon, October 11, 2010 9:37:40 PM

Subject: Re: 10-year-old son with OCD

 

I'm new here and not qualified to offer much.

But re: homeschooling -- maybe that's a good interim/temporary solution until

your son gets more regulated. His well-being is certainly more important than

the 3 R's in this moment, and you do not need this battle on top of the stress

you already have regarding your son's anxiety. I'm so sorry that this is piling

up on you.

The laws for homeschooling are different for each state. You might check to see

what the laws are in yours. In NC a family can register to homeschool anytime

they see fit. I hope this is so in your state as well.

Warmly,

Noel

>

> We need help!! Live in Florida and have a 10-year-old son with OCD, severe

>panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, and they say he may have ADHD but

I

>am not so sure. I think it is the OCD that is overtaking all of our lives. My

>son has such severe panic attacks that he has become agoraphobic and will not

go

>to school and he now has panic attacks just to go to the doctor appointments!

He

>goes for CBT therapy but the breathing exercises and clenching fist techniques

>are not helping whatsoever. He had an initial evaluation with a psychiatrist

and

>then one 15-minute visit after that when he was prescribed Zoloft 25 mg once a

>day. Then, that psychiatrist was gone as she was only temporary there at the

>facility. Ever since he has been on the Zoloft his symptoms have just gotten

>worse, although the new psychiatrist he was assigned who has only seen my son

> " once " for 15 minutes says he is on the right medication for his anxiety. He

>does not even know my son or the hell we are all going through. At that visit,

I

>explained how worse his symptoms have become, that he does not go to school,

and

>if forced, it becomes very physical in our home to do so. The little amount he

>is in school he cannot concentrate anyway because he is panicking and he is so

>worked up...he cries, sweats, shakes, teeth chatter, he vomits, has to go to

the

>bathroom. He is totally beside himself. He spends about 20 minutes in his class

>and then gets so worked up that guidance has to come and get him and he spends

>the remainder of school in the guidance office doing what work they can seem to

>get him to do. He says he feels trapped and anxious in the classroom and feels

>like he has to go to the bathroom and that he makes him more anxious. Anyway,

at

>that doctor visit, the doctor prescribed him Vistaril to help " calm and relax "

>him of which it has done neither. We looked into homebound schooling for him to

>do for now but neither the psychiatrist or his pediatrician will sign the form

>needed to get this started. The " psychiatrist " does not feel he needs it and

the

>pediatrician thinks it will be used as a " crutch " in order to not go to school.

>Friday, we received a call from a social worker who says we will be receiving a

>letter in the mail informing us that we have so many days to get my son back to

>school or they will have to take legal action. This is a medical issue and we

>seem to be getting the help we need to help our son. We are extremely

frustrated

>with the psychiatrist as he seems to not even care what our son is going

through

>and that he is just there to prescribe meds and that's it. We are looking into

>getting a second opinion for our son with a doctor that actually " cares " about

>their patients. Any suggestions for help on this matter would be greatly

>appreciated!!

>

[Guest guest]

You're welcome!

Homeschooling does not generally take as much of the day as regular school b/c

you can be much more efficient with just your child/children. Plenty of people

homeschool and work, though of course that can be a huge committment

particularly in the beginning when you're trying to find your way, on top of

caring for your child.

I noticed that someone on this list sent some links for Florida homeschool

laws.... I hope those will be helpful.

You can also look for local homeschool groups in your area -- do an internet

search or a yahoo group search -- in order to find out more about homeschooling

in your area from those who are doing it -- laws, resources....

Also know that people homeschool for all sorts of reasons, and many if not most,

take a break from " school " or " lessons " in order to decompress from stresses for

a period of time. It's okay to do that -- it can worthwhile in the long run b/c

it's hard to operate efficiently under pressure. And you do not have to cover

every subject right away. As far as I can tell, there are as many homeschooling

strategies as there are homeschooling families.

" School at home " under an umbrella school, supported by the state, is different

I expect. I don't have experience with that.

Your child's and family's well-being comes first.

Good luck to you!

Warmly,

: )

Noel

> >

> > We need help!! Live in Florida and have a 10-year-old son with OCD, severe

> >panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, and they say he may have ADHD

but I

> >am not so sure. I think it is the OCD that is overtaking all of our lives. My

> >son has such severe panic attacks that he has become agoraphobic and will not

go

> >to school and he now has panic attacks just to go to the doctor appointments!

He

> >goes for CBT therapy but the breathing exercises and clenching fist

techniques

> >are not helping whatsoever. He had an initial evaluation with a psychiatrist

and

> >then one 15-minute visit after that when he was prescribed Zoloft 25 mg once

a

> >day. Then, that psychiatrist was gone as she was only temporary there at the

> >facility. Ever since he has been on the Zoloft his symptoms have just gotten

> >worse, although the new psychiatrist he was assigned who has only seen my son

> > " once " for 15 minutes says he is on the right medication for his anxiety. He

> >does not even know my son or the hell we are all going through. At that

visit, I

> >explained how worse his symptoms have become, that he does not go to school,

and

> >if forced, it becomes very physical in our home to do so. The little amount

he

> >is in school he cannot concentrate anyway because he is panicking and he is

so

> >worked up...he cries, sweats, shakes, teeth chatter, he vomits, has to go to

the

> >bathroom. He is totally beside himself. He spends about 20 minutes in his

class

> >and then gets so worked up that guidance has to come and get him and he

spends

> >the remainder of school in the guidance office doing what work they can seem

to

> >get him to do. He says he feels trapped and anxious in the classroom and

feels

> >like he has to go to the bathroom and that he makes him more anxious. Anyway,

at

> >that doctor visit, the doctor prescribed him Vistaril to help " calm and

relax "

> >him of which it has done neither. We looked into homebound schooling for him

to

> >do for now but neither the psychiatrist or his pediatrician will sign the

form

> >needed to get this started. The " psychiatrist " does not feel he needs it and

the

> >pediatrician thinks it will be used as a " crutch " in order to not go to

school.

> >Friday, we received a call from a social worker who says we will be receiving

a

> >letter in the mail informing us that we have so many days to get my son back

to

> >school or they will have to take legal action. This is a medical issue and we

> >seem to be getting the help we need to help our son. We are extremely

frustrated

> >with the psychiatrist as he seems to not even care what our son is going

through

> >and that he is just there to prescribe meds and that's it. We are looking

into

> >getting a second opinion for our son with a doctor that actually " cares "

about

> >their patients. Any suggestions for help on this matter would be greatly

> >appreciated!!

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much.  It feels so good to know that there are people out there that

are so helpful and genuinely care about what my son is going through.  I wish

the psychiatrist was that way.  Thanks for the links and I will look into this

further for him.

Anne

________________________________

To:

Sent: Wed, October 13, 2010 2:44:33 AM

Subject: Re: 10-year-old son with OCD

 

Totally agree with Noel. We homeschooled for 11 years. The flexibility was

really helpful with our son's OCD. He blossomed, and as Noel said, we often

could complete work in a few hours, doing more than most public schools

required. It only got more complicated when he hit high school, but even that

turned out to be easier than we thought it would.

I sent the links concerning Florida laws. I was looking them over and it seems

to be a homeschool friendly state. )

BJ

>

> You're welcome!

>

> Homeschooling does not generally take as much of the day as regular school b/c

>you can be much more efficient with just your child/children. Plenty of people

>homeschool and work, though of course that can be a huge committment

>particularly in the beginning when you're trying to find your way, on top of

>caring for your child.

>

> I noticed that someone on this list sent some links for Florida homeschool

>laws.... I hope those will be helpful.

>

> You can also look for local homeschool groups in your area -- do an internet

>search or a yahoo group search -- in order to find out more about homeschooling

>in your area from those who are doing it -- laws, resources....

>

> Also know that people homeschool for all sorts of reasons, and many if not

>most, take a break from " school " or " lessons " in order to decompress from

>stresses for a period of time. It's okay to do that -- it can worthwhile in the

>long run b/c it's hard to operate efficiently under pressure. And you do not

>have to cover every subject right away. As far as I can tell, there are as many

>homeschooling strategies as there are homeschooling families.

>

>

> " School at home " under an umbrella school, supported by the state, is

different

>I expect. I don't have experience with that.

>

> Your child's and family's well-being comes first.

>

> Good luck to you!

>

> Warmly,

> : )

> Noel

>