
Short Summary
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Description
When asked about the philosophy that guides my teaching, my answer is simple: "Make a difference in someone else's life, just as someone once made a difference in yours." This idea has guided my teaching for over 17 years. As a home educator, I found myself navigating muddy water when my oldest child was diagnosed with autism, and later, my second oldest child was diagnosed with ADHD. At the time information was sparse, but I immersed myself in research, talked with special educators, experimented with various curriculums, and picked myself up after every fall. Through my experiences, I gained a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of unique learners.
Writing is more than an inherent ability that some people have or do not have. Writing is a complex activity that requires the author to tap into the prefrontal cortex, the frontal lobe, the language centers, the limbic system, and motor skills. If a child has a delay or deficit in one or more of these areas, the child may be unable to organize or plan a piece of writing, create logical connections, form grammatically correct sentences, connect ideas, add emotion or depth, physically write without massive fatigue, or generate ideas. If a learner struggles with executive function issues, the learner may have difficulty initiating an assignment, brainstorming ideas, creating an outline, keeping track of arguments, or editing writing errors.
In response, I have developed strategies to simplify the complex task of writing by breaking it into manageable steps, offering clear guidance and modeling, providing encouraging feedback, and gradually transitioning from guided to independent writing. Bring the school assignments to me or allow me to present the material, and we will build the foundation and elevate your writing.
Potential Areas of Focus:
- Elements of a paragraph
- Elements of an essay
- Developing supportive ideas
- Integrating textual evidence
- Analyzing supports for an argument
- Synthesizing ideas / cohesion / connecting ideas
- Writing with accurate grammar and punctuation
- Accurate MLA format
Age Range:
- Middle School
- High School
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Neurodivergency Specializations and Accommodations
As a home educator and parent to children with autism and ADHD, I developed an approach to writing that focuses on individual strengths and needs, tailoring assignments to their interests and learning styles. Below is a list of accommodations I frequently use for students with autism and ADHD.
- Scaffolding
- MORE Scaffolding
- Sentence Starters
- Sentence Framing
- Organizers
- Modeling and Practice
- Audio Books (If Applicable)
- Visual Prompts
- Assignments Broken Into Smaller Sections
- Clear Instructions
- Tailor Assignments to Student's Interest(s)
- Quality Emphasized Over Length
- Positive Reinforcement
- Encourage Student to Seek Help
- Modified Assignments
- Flexible Deadlines