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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

Extracurriculars are [i]extra[/i].  If they get in the way of a student learning what he or she needs to learn, then they need to be curtailed.  There are plenty of other after school options that do not require tons of time. [/quote]

OP here.  Extracurriculars are not "extra" in some respects.  There's a strong school of thought out there that says that kids with LDs or ADHD SHOULD have an outside activity/interest that gives them self-esteem/plays to their strengths/builds drive and self-confidence.  DC has pursued two activities, one of which can be time-consuming, that does all of these things.  We don't minimize academics at all but we also see the danger of turning DC's life into school+tutors+homework with no chance to pursue passions or just be a kid and do nothing.  When teachers hear about DC's "extras," it's eye-opening for them too and has given them a different perspective on DC, who struggles quite a bit in school.  I appreciate all the replies that have come in on this.  DC has LD's in reading, writing, and math, along with the accompanying executive function challenges.  We've been considering tutoring but are not sure where to start - the most serious LD?  The exec function piece?  It doesn't seem possible to get tutors for each and every one of those areas.[/quote]

First of all, I did not say eliminate all extra curricula, I said IF the extra curricula were interfering with learning they needed to be [i]curtailed[/i]. I agree that all children need outside activities, but something that takes 10+ hours a week when it is in season (like a school sport), is just too much for some children, others can handle it.

It is a give and take and a balancing act.  I have two DCs in HS and both have different  special needs.  One has several profound LDs that affect his reading and writing as well as ADHD.  He needs lots of downtime, so we pick activities that are not time sinks.  He went to a reading tutor 2-3 times a week from 2nd grade through 7th grade. In 8th grade he took a reading class in school, but since he has been in HS we have switched from remediation to using technology.  (Middle School was the transition for that.) We do not hire tutors for organization or help with homework- I do that at home with him when he needs it- so I guess I act as a tutor.  We also reduced his workload at school.  He will not take a foreign language in high school.  We also had him take the Honor World History instead of AP World History, because the time required for reading was too great for the benefit of the class. He is a math & science kid, so his AP classes will be/are in in math and science. The main issue right now is his anxiety level and anything we can do to reduce that we investigate. It changes from year to year, so we look at everything every year to make sure he is challenged, happy and has enough downtime.

There is only so much time in the day and we, as the parents, need to guide our children so that they do not overextended themselves.  It may mean dropping that activity that takes so much time, it may mean dropping a class.  It may mean a mixture of both.  I know some students who take 5 years to graduate so that they are not over extended.  There are many paths, but we have to recognize that our children may not be able to handle a full academic load AND a sport or other high hour activity.  [/quote]

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