Maggie
I have some of the same sensory problems as my son and a communication disorder. I am also (to my disadvantage in public school) extremely bright.
My sensory problems were misdiagnosed as ADHD and because of that I was put on all different medications non worked. I still couldn't cope with my sensory problems and because of that I was labeled a "problem" and "problems" were not allowed to take the advanced classes. So I spent twelve very long years bored out of my mind being forced to stay seated when I have a medical reason that I couldn't.
Because I was bored I stoped caring. Learning was no longer fun. I still have trouble getting my self to start learning something new.
I spent my entire time in school telling the teachers and anyone who might listen that I can not learn in the regualar class set up. I do not understand concepts when the teacher is standing at the front of the room explaining them. I need to read and ask questions about certain points and then do the "busy work" to reinforce what I have read and learned. Doing the work at my own pace was not allowed. I was told that people can't learn that way. I figured that since people can't learn that way then I must be stupid. When I realized I was stupid I stopped trying and started getting in trouble. In the begaining of 8th grade I managed to get thrown ou of regular classes and I was put in the Behvior Disorders class. The teacher let us do our work on our own because their were kids of different levels. I finished my years work in 3 weeks- something that should have tipped them off that I was not ADHD but didn't. That I could do all my work on my own and in an extrely short amount of time was completely lost on the school and I went in to high school in the regular classes again bored out of my mind.
2 years after I graduated high school I found that I was able to function better after I did certain things so before each work day I would head to the company fitness center and flip, climb and do whatever else. I did fine sitting at a desk for 8-9 hours. I did the same with every other class I have taken since and I do fine.
~sometimes overprotected world of home schooling.~
I'm afraid I don't know what the overprotected world of homeschooling is.
If by that you mean my son isn't thrown into school at age 3 and forced into a mold then I guess it is overprotective.
If you mean HS don't get out and see the world and learn to deal with people in the real world like they do in public school then I have to say you don't have a clue what your talking about.
Every homeschooler I know doesn't have friends because they are within a few months of their age and they met in school. They have friends of all ages who have similiar interests. I have seen homeschool kids better able to carry on a conversation with an adult (and people of any age) much better then their public school conterparts because they know that someone doesn't have to be their age to have a similiar interest. I have learned more about gardening from a 7 year old homeschooled student then a high school junior who is taking classes at the local career center in green house management.
If you are under the assuption that we stay home then you are mistaken. We do not stay home in fear of the outside world, we embrace it. My son may only be two but he has seen more of the cultural diversity of our area then any public school student will see from a text book. He has gone with me to hear the Choir at the Cathedral (He loves music.) He has watched the creation of a sand mandala by Tibetan Monks. He has been to the Vietnamese temple to watch the Lion dancers at new year. Just to name a few.