[Homeschooling] Part One: The Dietz Family

Nathan (7), Jericho (4) & baby Dietz 

This week on The Spectrum, we meet the Dietz family - Jonathan, Kristi, Nathan and Jericho. They are a local San Franciscan family who choose to homeschool their two sweet, rambunctious boys. We interviewed Mom, Kristi, about the homeschooling system and why she chose to educate her sons at home. 

Next week we will be featuring Gina Niblack, a 26 year old San Jose native who was homeschooled K-12 in a family of 5 children - and despite what most Americans think about homeschooling - turned out to be a socially capable, intelligent, amazing young woman with a career in classical music. 

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THE DIETZ FAMILY

Jonathan & Kristi Dietz

1. Are you a part of a homeschooling "group"?

We are part of a community of home schoolers who share our beliefs and educational methodology. I think the most prominent stereotype about home schoolers is that we are anti-social. This could not be more untrue! Every family in our community interacts regularly with each other and the public. We gather once a week to formally learn new material from trained tutors. During these sessions we split into "classes" of eight students each where students get to conduct science experiments, create art projects, and present speeches. Additionally, throughout the week we go on field trips and outings which provide relaxed environments for our children to be themselves and thrive socially. Our flexible schedule provides an average of eight hours of "free play" or as I see it, cultivating communication skills, with other families. per week; by my calculations, my children actually have more time to interact with freely and naturally with other children (and adults!) than publicly schooled children have.

2. Where do you get your content from?

After much research, we decided that the educational method that best fits our family is the Classical Model. There are a number of Classical Curricula available, so I was able to choose one that aligns with our faith as well. The program we are using is called Classical Conversations and is an all-inclusive, "one-room school-house" model, faith-based curriculum. Not only does Classical Conversations provide the content I teach from, they also provide the community which I mentioned above. I cannot stress enough the vitality of both good material and strong community to the success of our educational endeavor.

3. What does a regular day look like for you & Nathan? How does Jericho fit into your schooling?

The flexibility of home schooling can be both a blessing and a curse. Some days I treasure it; other days I suffer from it. For this reason I've found that it's best for our family to stick to a schedule. We start school promptly at 9:00 am and proceed through our subjects in the same order every day: Theology, History, Science, Geography, Art, Math, Latin, English/Grammar, Reading. Nathan (first grade) practices each discipline as Jericho (Pre-K, age 4) assists. In a one-room school-house, the younger children handle the same material as the older children, but are not expected to retain it to as full a degree as their older siblings. We move along at a casual pace, pausing to spend extra time on our weaknesses, striving for perfection in each area before we move on. Some disciplines come naturally to Nathan, and he masters them in only a few minutes, others require up to an hour each day. 

Classical Learning is heavily based on memorization, so our first day of learning new material (Monday for us) is the longest. On Mondays we make sure to take lots of breaks, and we usually finish around 2:00 pm. Then as Nathan becomes more familiar with the topics, he learns to recite them by heart and by Thursday we can usually get through all nine disciplines in under two hours. All the while, Jericho is hearing the repetition of the subjects, and he naturally absorbs most of it. He won't make sense of all the information for a few more years, but he is definitely able to retain it!

Jericho & Nathan

4. Why did you choose home schooling?

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Unfortunately, the "village" I see when I look at schools across the country leaves a lot to be desired. So whose responsibility is it to shape my children's destinies? I'm convinced that the job of child-rearing lies squarely with the parents. Our children will learn life's most important lessons from us whether we try to teach them or not: their worldview, their honor, their integrity, their kindness, their patience, their love, their sense of justice... or lack of those things, will come from us no matter what school we send them to. I concluded I could better equip them in those most important areas if I could use the simple things, like math and science, to introduce them to the world.

5. How important is having a separate "school room"? Can you describe the school room?

We do have a separate room of our house devoted to education, but I don't think it's necessary. For us this comes back to having a set schedule. I've found it's easiest for my children to learn within the confines of an established "rhythm," a schedule that says: "This is when we quiet our minds to learn." Our School Room simply provides a second layer to that, namely: "This is where we quiet our minds to learn." Any dining room table without a meal on it could provide this exact environment for a child. 100% of the learning takes place in the conversations between me and my children; spatially, that could happen anywhere.

6. How do you find social groups for your kids? Have you seen any social disadvantage?

Believe it or not, I actually used the internet to find the group I belong to. I started by deciding on a curriculum (again, through extensive internet research) and then looked for a community that employed our same methodology. As I emphasized above, community is key in my children's socialization. I would not recommend anyone home school solo; that's just plain dangerous.

Once we got connected with the SF branch of Classical Conversations, friendships naturally developed amongst the adults and the children alike, and the topics of sports and music lessons come up regularly. We've been able to take leads from other moms to enroll our boys in phenomenal extracurricular activities like sports and music programs, which provide yet another dimension to their social life. Interestingly, in these settings, surrounded by mostly public schooled children, my children stand out as years ahead of the others in their communication skills, patience, understanding, and ability to interact graciously with their teammates. (Disclaimer: I realize that sounds rather arrogant, but truly, I receive compliments on their behavior almost every week!)

Occasionally I get the chance to eavesdrop on some of the older classes in our group. It's incredible to watch the "rebellious teenagers" who should be back-talking to authority, bullying each other, and fighting the system instead going out of their way to help others: encouraging each other's strengths, opening doors for women, responding to elders with "Yes Ma'am" and "No Ma'am," presenting speeches on poverty and social justice programs, taking seats on neighborhood councils because they care about their city, going on trips overseas to build homes for the least fortunate... etc. If this is what people call "socially disadvantaged," sign me up!

Jonathan, Kristi, Jericho & Nathan

7. What advice would you give to parents considering home school for their special needs children?

The beauty of homeschooling is that your child decides the pace. In a public classroom of, say, 20 students, the actual learning time (that is, excluding the waiting, chatting, giggling, organizing, day-dreaming and disciplining) each child receives is between one and two hours per day. But when you sit down with your child, in your own home, having each other's undivided attention, you can either power through those two hours and finish by lunch time, or, when your child struggles, you have the option to take extra time to ensure full understanding, even if it takes the full day. When it does require a full day, you've just effectively increased your child's access to education four times over. 

At the end of the day, I can't think of anything more important than my child learning and understanding the world around him. That's worth everything to me: every minute of my day, every minute of my life. Are there days when it's hard? Absolutely. But there will never be a day when it isn't absolutely worth it.

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If you have any further questions for Kristi, you can redirect them to info@kahlonfamilyservices.com 

YEAS Program

Yoga Education for Autism Spectrum 

Yoga has long been associated with advantages for the mind, body and soul. It is therefore no surprise that yoga education specifically created for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders has been proven to provide a wide range of benefits to children all over the world. It is for this reason that Vanessa Kahlon (founder of Kahlon Family Services) developed a program called YEAS : Yoga Education for Autism Spectrum.

With years of experience working with children who have Autism, we are aware of the value of mainstreaming. There are so many circumstances in which children of various abilities and developmental stages can work together, and learn a great deal from one another. We have also noticed that when it comes to certain activities, mainstreaming isn't always a good idea. In most yoga classes for typically developing children, kids with differences can be quickly left behind. YEAS was created to support children who need some extra help.

In a YEAS class, you can expect small group sizes - YEAS can even be taught in private 1:1 classes, sibling groups or whole families in the home. Children receive assistance and encouragement without adjustment to their poses. In a YEAS class, the emphasis is on participation. Teachers aim to alter their teaching style to conform to the needs of the child - not the other way around. There are all kinds of modifications in a YEAS class, such as; visual schedules that prepare kids for upcoming tasks, 3 dimensional figurines that model poses in a tangible way, picture cards, choices and clear visual instructions.

Vanessa Kahlon runs 10-hour (usually weekend) training courses, where participants are certified to teach the program. Vanessa travels to teach, so no matter where your location may be, feel free to contact info@kahlonfamilyservices.com if you are interested in becoming certified.

For more information about how to be trained to teach YEAS, or how to enroll your child in a YEAS class, go to our website www.kahlonfamilyservices.com

Namaste!

Homework Help

Do you have trouble with your kids and homework? Are you at a loss as to how to help, or having difficulty knowing what a fair expectation for homework should be?

We have some tips for you, to make homework less of a battle. 

• Establish a consistent homework routine
• Make a work space - give your child their own space to work.
• What time does homework start and stop? It is much easier to stay focused when there is a time limit. Try using a timer, and pausing if your child gets off-track. You could also use the timer to establish how long s/he should work until s/he gets a break. ("Time Timer" App is $2.99, and is perfect for young children & time management.)
• Will there be a computer available? Does your child have everything they need in their work space? Also, if a computer is available, be sure to check in with your child to make sure that it is a help rather than a distraction.

• Remember, homework is key in developing;
• Time management - how will your child meet deadlines? Are you allowing your child to work within the pressure of a deadline, or are you bailing them out by doing their work? Many parents also write notes to teachers to have their child exempt from meeting deadlines. How are you setting your child up for the "real world"?
• Work ethic - homework teaches your child to work hard, even after hours. People with a strong work ethic are much more employable than those who work half-heartedly.
• Problem solving strategies - when your child doesn't have a teacher at hand, how will they learn to use their initiative to get things done?

• Set time aside to help each child get started. Learn to tell the difference between laziness, attention problems and a lack of understanding. If you feel like your child is struggling more than s/he should be, set up a time to talk to the classroom teacher about your concerns. Productivity is related to motivation, realistic expectations and ability.

• Be prepared to help your child in the time set aside for homework. If you can’t help them, organize another time to do it. If your child asks for help, provide them with a consistent response.

Parenting With Confidence Workshop

Do you have a strong-willed child?
Is your child "difficult"?
Are you having trouble connecting with your children, or as a family?
Are you feeling frustrated with the way things are?

We have a course for you.

"Parenting With Confidence" is a 6-week course in San Francisco for parents wanting to learn more about building stronger family connections. The course covers topics such as;

•  Dealing with meltdowns
• Communication
• Juggling family dynamics and schedules
• Building the parent-child connection

Pricing

The full 6-week package costs $175 per parent, $225 for both parents - or $35 per parent for casual attendees. 

Location

Westside Art House

540 Balboa St, San Francisco 

Day & Time

Wednesday nights 6-7PM, starting 27 February (date subject to change) 

The Early Signs of Autism

It can be extremely difficult for parents to hear that their child is developing differently. Part of giving your child the best possible start in life is being able to pay attention to red flags that may indicate developmental delays, such as Autism. While an accurate diagnosis of Autism can not be made yet in infancy, there have been various studies conducted into signs and behaviors that correlate to later diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

ABC News reported in May last year about 'Head Lag' being an early sign of Autism - and can be seen very early on. Click here  to be linked to their site, where you can watch the full report. We have pooled together some more developmental milestones to keep track of with infants and young children, so that if you are noticing any delays, they can be seen to as soon as possible. There's a big chance that what you're noticing isn't Autism, but if you have suspicions about your child's development please don't ignore them. The best chance you can give a child with Autism is an early intervention.

6 months...
- An absence of big, warm smiles and joyful expressions

9 months...
-  An absence of back and forth sharing of sounds, smiling and other facial expressions

12 months...
- An absence of babbling, back & forth gestures (pointing, smiling, showing, reaching, waving)
- Doesn't respond to name

16 months...
- Doesn't speak any words

24 months...
- Doesn't use any two-word phrases (not including repeating)

OVER 3 Years...

• Doesn't seem to care what is going on around them socially, but pays attention to the movement of physical objects (e.g. Doors, fans, etc.) 
• Doesn't play pretend, and has significant trouble distinguishing between "real" and "fake"
• Doesn't share interests or achievements with peers
• Doesn't know how to play with peers, join in or understand other people's feelings
• Speaks in an atypical tone of voice with odd pitch and pace 
• Limited interests with one particular fixation that dominates all conversation
• Repeats words and phrases
• Takes everything literally
• Hand flapping
• Frequent and severe meltdowns over things that often make no sense to you
• Has sensory sensitivities; covers ears at loud noises, uses a very loud voice (and has a hard time knowing how to speak in a quieter voice), dislikes bright lighting, lays on the floor at inappropriate times, spins repeatedly, "crashes" frequently (running into people, falling over on purpose, falling off chairs, jumping off high places), alternately - is fearful of physical activity, uncoordinated, frequently falls over, is clumsy, chews on shirts/sleeves/other items, is either very messy or very clean, prone to hyperactivity due to overstimulation

If any of these things have raised red flags about your child, or somebody you know, the very best thing you can do is see a professional who can help steer you in the right direction towards early intervention. At Kahlon Family Services, we can not diagnose a child, but we can work alongside your family and other professionals (like Occupational, Speech and Physical Therapists) to see change. Whatever the age of the child, we can help. 

Visit our website on www.kahlonfamilyservices.com

Animals & Autism - Part 2 - Buttercup

Lois & Buttercup 

For part 2 of our series on Animals & Autism, we were lucky enough to have interviewed renowned Speech-Language Pathologist, Lois Brady, about her experiences in Animal Assisted therapy with her pig, Buttercup. 

Tell us a bit about how you met your pig, Buttercup. 
Because Buttercup has to travel with me, he has to be a true miniature potbelly pig.  I searched the internet for reputable breeders and flew him to California from Texas.  He was a hit from the time we picked him up from the airport.

How have you seen Buttercup impact children with Autism? 
Many students are naturally drawn to animals.  Some students with autism may have had a bad experience with a dog/cat (barking, scratching or jumping).  Because Buttercup is so unusual he draws their attention immediately and they have no preconceived notions or bad experiences students approach him and interact with him freely.   Many of my students ask for Buttercup and talk about him daily.  They remember his last visit, next visit, what he eats, where he lives, etc.

Have you seen changes in Buttercup since he started to work with you?
Buttercup has worked with children since he was 4 weeks old.  His demeanor is the same in a quiet or noisy environment.  He has always been a "rock." 
What does Buttercup like to do in his time off? 
Buttercup loves to sleep, lay in the sun, root, eat (of course) and sit by the fireplace on a cold day.

What is one of your favorite 'Buttercup Stories'? 
 My favorite story - Buttercup was visiting my high school Asperger's classroom.  Many of the students have difficulty making new friends, especially friends of the opposite sex.  On this particular day I encouraged one young man (Isaac) to take buttercup for a walk during passing period.  He was immediately surrounded by students (mostly girls) asking lots of questions.  Isaac had no choice but to talk to the girls and answer questions about Buttercup.  He made two new "girl" friends that day.

For more information about Lois and Buttercup, check out this article from Reader's Digest and the Proactive Speech Therapy Website.

If you are interested in how we use animals in our sessions at Kahlon Family Services, please contact us on info@kahlonfamilyservices.com

Animals & Autism: Part 1

Temple Grandin: Animals Make Us Human

For centuries, animals and humans have shared a special bond. Often it depends on what kind of animal we are referring to - most people associate animal bonding only with domesticated pets. Temple Grandin changed the face of animal welfare through a deep affinity for cattle, attempting to understand their behavior on another level. You see, Temple Grandin is Autistic and can uniquely relate to the sensory sensitivities of animals, which are more closely linked to the human experience than we realize. Though most city dwelling San Franciscans have limited access to cattle, at Kahlon Family Services we have discovered the benefits of using animals in our sessions for their excellent company and therapeutic benefits. We will be bringing you Part 2 of this series soon - about a therapeutic pig! (Stay tuned)

You may have read a previous blog post about Danny (click here to read the heart-warming tale) the adventurous Dachshund and his work with children on the Autism Spectrum. Animals provide a way for people with Autism to experience a less complicated version of social interaction, while learning about the living world around them. A 2004 study showed that assistance dogs could help Autistic children learn about living beings, feelings and needs (USA Today.com). In 2010, a study from a journal called Psychoneuroendocrinology stated that service dogs actually have a physiological effect on children with Autism. The introduction of service dogs significantly reduced the stress levels of the child, and simultaneously reduced the amount of disruptive behavioral episodes. 

We have seen these effects first-hand in our sessions with Danny, and our other pal, Jake. Our dogs have a way of making children with social differences feel welcome. We have seen the dogs act in embarrassing ways, and the kids deal with them in love. For example, one day Jake ate some unidentified old dog poop as one of our young (socially different) clients was walking him down the street. At first, everybody freaked out because we all know that dogs shouldn't do that. Then, a teachable moment was upon us. Do we still love Jake when he acts like that? Will we still be Jake's friend? Should we just let Jake eat poop if he wants to? Or should we let him know it's not a great choice and help him to make better choices? That day, the young boy could see why people were "always telling him what to do". He could see for the first time that when people were telling him how to act, it was out of love rather than bossiness. The boy was also quick to help Jake out the embarrassing situation, and could appreciate that others help him act appropriately when he does things out of the social ordinary. 

At Kahlon Family Services, we do not use well-mannered service dogs. We use family pets - humble dogs rescued from the pound. We work with dogs who have been through a lot, and their back stories really engage with the lives of kids with behavioral problems. These dogs teach empathy, forgiveness, unconditional love, patience and endurance. The dogs calm us down, and bring something extra to the emotional environment in our sessions. If you think that your child could benefit from sessions with a behavior specialist and a dog, please contact us so that we can match you with the perfect fit. You can email info@kahlonfamilyservices.com or visit our website www.kahlonfamilyservices.com for more details.