Hi! I am searching for the right 'fit' for my 8yo son. He has been recently diagnosed with ADHD, and we are in the process of evaluating for other issues such as dyslexia.

In the area of math, he has quite a bit of difficulty with math fact memorization, word problems...well, with many math concepts. Very traditional programs just do not work well for him. He is extremely kinesthetic and wants to touch everything/be physically involved. Plain textbook, paper & pencil, etc. just turns him off. It's not that he is being deliberately defiant. It's that he just cannot learn that way.

I don't know anyone in real life who has used RightStart, but it has been recommended to me by a few people on another message board. I came here to ask opinions. Obviously, I know that everyone here is a fan of the program. It does seem to be a solid program, and I like the use of games that are included. However, I wonder if anyone here has experience using it with a child who is dealing with ADHD and possible other LDs such as dyslexia?

Is this program suitable for such a child? Please be honest. I'm not questioning the virtues of the program. Those are obvious. I'm just wondering if this could be a good fit for this particular child.

Thanks so much!

Dear Lisa,

Thank you for posting on the RightStart Board. I would also encourage you to post this question on the RightStart yahoo board where many more homeschool families will also address your questions. You can link onto this board through this website by clicking under forums.

Over the years I have seen a dramatic increase in the purchasing of RightStart Math for children with special needs and most especially for children with dyslexia. A few years ago when I was working the Colorado Homeschool convention a woman who heads a support group for families of children with dyslexia came over and said out of all the curriculums she used with her own children with dyslexia, RightStart is the only one that has worked for her children. RightStart is the 5th curriculum she used. When I saw her the following year she stated the same thing and also stated that many of the families she works with are now using RightStart. This woman is based out of Canada.

For children with ADHD the nice thing is that there are a variety of activities to do to teach concepts. As you well know this is nice for the child who's attention span is limited. And, yes, this curriculum is low on worksheets and high on games. Also good for a child who does not like or appreciate worksheets. We believe that games are to math as books are to reading.

Besides the two stated reasons above another thing nice about RightStart related to children with special needs is that RightStart is very direct in it's approach of the teaching of concepts and also in the naming of math terms. For example, an equation is always called an equation, not a number sentence. What may seem minor or an attempt to link math concepts to a familiar topic like number sentence or fact houses/families etc. only adds more frustration for a child who already has a lot in his/her mind. These added terms are more information than the special needs child can handle or needs to handle and is more information than the gifted child wants to hear.

I hope this begins to answer your questions. Please feel free to email, post or call with any other questions you may have.

Thanks for looking to give your child a RightStart in math.

Sincerely,
Rosine

Yes...it looks like it *will* be RightStart! Thank you for sharing the things you felt would be most helpful as I make my decision. You definitely addressed the majority of my concerns. I will be heading over to find the yahoo group as well.

Dh and I have talked about this at length, and we really feel that RightStart will be the best program for our son. Thanks again. You've been most helpful!

Lisa