My daughter just started 6th grade and is having a horriblr time.She is terrified to go to school and says she

If she goes to Haines call Charlie Kyle he is amazing . i have 2 special needs kids and they both have done very well there .Emails your daughter teachers every week asking how she is doing if you get involved they take ownership with your child . I work long hours and just stay in touch with email it works .

Your child needs what is called a "psychoeducational evaluation." Although public schools will do an educational evaluation for free, they often are not as thorough or helpful as a private evaluation. Ask your pediatrician to recommend either a "neuropsychologist" or a private-practice "school psychologist" with a Ph.D.

Once you know what learning disabilities your child has, you can figure out what you need to do to help. While homeschooling is an appropriate option for some children with LD and their parents, it should not be undertaken lightly. Providing instruction effectively for a child with learning disabilities is a very difficult thing, and many parents do not have the knowledge base to do it well. For example, if your child has dyslexia, she will need science-based, "multisensory structured language" reading instruction. A leading expert on dyslexia says that "teaching reading really IS rocket science!" and you can see why.

Pick up the phone today. Call your pediatrician and leave word that you need his or her recommendations for the experts described above. (Print out this e-mail so you will have the descriptions of the types of experts when you make the call.)

Early identification and intervention is very important, so don't delay! She has already lost very valuable time. There's not a minute to waste. Don't assume that teachers know about LDs .... most do not... don't let anyone keep you from getting that evaluation right away.

Hi and Welcome.
Like Healthy pointed out join us on the LD board. There are so many of us who have been or are still in your position who are there for support and advice.

My first suggestion is to have you repost your questions in the Learning and Attention Difficulties Group at community.greatschools.net/groups/11554. Many more parents will see your questions and be able to advise you.

I too have a child with special ed issues. Does your daughter have an IEP? What are her LDs? Has she always had anxiety issues? Was there a transition meeting held between her elementary school, and what I assume is her new middle school? At the very least, it sounds like she may benefit from more remediation and a more restrictive placement than what she's currently in, based on her "being terrified" and saying she doesn't understand anything.

Homeschooling CAN definitely be done with children who have LDs, but your schedule would make it more difficult. You can google "homeschooling + the name of your state" to find out what the guidelines are and locate other homeschooling parents in your area for more information.

Again, if you could repost your concerns over in the Learning and Attention Difficulties group, and give us more background as to your daughter's issues when you do repost, we'll be able to better help you.