Children with Special Needs
Can be Homeschooled

Homeschooling children with special needs can be difficult. Yet, it can and is done. Many families do homeschool their children who have disabilities. How? You will need patience, a sense of humor, and a faith in God.

There are many different disabilities. Some of the most common are:

• ADHD/ ADD
• Dyslexia and other learning disabilities
• The autism spectrum

Sometimes children struggle with learning for no apparent reason. Sometimes our children are not ready to learn what we want then to learn. Other times we are using the wrong teaching method.

All Children are Teachable

All children are teachable. Children just need the right environment. School may not be the right environment for your child. In school most children who have a disability have to leave their classroom to go to therapy or the resource room. If your child has to leave when the class is doing history, science, or art, your child will miss the lesson.

Thomas Edison's teacher thought that he was addled or confused. Yet, Thomas learned at home. Your child may still have difficulty with academics. Yet, you can still teach him about God, and how to be responsible.

Peer Pressure

When you are homeschooling children with special needs there will be less peer pressure. They will not be teased because they are different. As an aid in the school system I have seen children teased. I have also seen children with special needs pick on other children because they want to fit in.

You can control your child's interaction with others. You can introduce people into your child's life who will be true friends. Since you know your child's interests you can find people who have similar interests. You can also observe how your child's friends interact with your child. You can remove anyone who is not acting appropriate.

You Can Teach Your Children

Homeschooling is legal in all of the fifty states. You will need to follow your states requirements. You can find homeschooling requirements at the HSLDA website. Homeschooling is also legal in many foreign countries.

You might feel that you are not qualified to be homeschooling a child with a disability. But, you are qualified. Why, because you are the parent. You help your child learn to walk and to eat. Now you will teach him to read and write. Teaching won't be easy. With a little help you will be doing a good job.

As a parent you have already raised your child from infancy. You are the best person to understand what he wants and needs.

Individualized Learning

You are the best person to individualize his learning. Use your child's interests to develop curriculum. He will then have a reason to learn. He will want to learn to read, write and do math. Learning will still be difficult for your child, but he will be motivated. Motivation is half of the battle. One way to motivate a child is to use a unit study approach.

You can teach to your child's learning style. How does he best learn? Does he like to do hands-on projects? Does he like to watch movies or play video games? You can use his learning style to help him learn.

You will be able to teach your child one on one. In the public schools your child will have an IEP, but he may not have one on one instruction.

How to Provide Therapy

When you are homeschooling a child with a disability you may need some special training especially if your child is non verbal.

You may also need to use a speech or physical therapist from time to time. There are several options for finding your child therapy. You can check with your local school district to see if they will help parents who are homeschooling children with special needs. Some universities have therapy departments that will help your child for a reduced fee. Other parents take their child to a private therapist.

Online Help

An online site *i*communicate is dedicated to enhancing Speech, Language and Communication for all individuals by providing information and resources for speech therapy / pathology, and all difficulties and disorders relating to communication. As well as helping individuals with communication difficulties, *i*communicate provides information for parents and teachers about how they can develop and enhance their children's speech and language skills.

At Apraxia of Speech you can learn how you can help your child with the neurological condition of verbal apraxia at home.

4 Tips for Homeschooling
Children with Special Needs

First remember that your child is also a child of God. He was created in God's image. According to Jesus his disability is not because of his sin or a sin of yours (John 9:1-7). God also reminds us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Do you need some help with your faith in God? Finding God In Autism is great website and book that gives Biblical resources to help you as a parent raising your special needs child. From mild to aggressive and challenging behavior you can have peace, hope and strength. Your toughest questions will be answered on this site and in the book.

As a parent we need to help our child learn the truth about their relationship with God. We need to bring them to a saving grace through Jesus. How can we do this? One way is to read Bible stories out of a children's Bible. Another way is to sing Christian songs. We also need to talk about our faith to our children.

Homeschooling makes it easier to pass on our faith to our children. They do not hear a different story at school. I don't want anything to hinder my child's faith in God.

Second we need to take one day at a time and have fun. Remember that your child did not learn to walk or talk in a day. He will learn to read and do math in a similar way. Slow and steady. So take time off and go to the park and have some fun. He can use the exercise and fresh air.

Also find something to laugh about. Watch a funny show. Go to the zoo and watch the monkeys. Laughter will release your stress and your child's.

Third find out as much as you can about your child's disability. See how others are educating their children. Try to follow where you think God is leading you. Then you will be able to answer those who question you.

Take the time to look around my site. You will find more information about homeschooling children with special needs. You can also find information about disabilities at your local library.

Here is a website that has information on special needs and disabilities Special Needs Almanac. You will find information on disabled sports, camps, travel, clothing, diagnosis, legal, education, resources, blogs, diagnosis, legal, treatments, financial, food allergies, assistive technology. Special Needs Almanac is a one stop resource for children and adults with disabilities and special needs.

Homeschooling magazines also have information on homeschooling children with special needs. One of my favorite magazines is the Old Schoolhouse. You cansubscribe too.

My fourth point is to get some support. You will probably feel isolated. Find someone who you can talk to. There are people who will listen and pray with you. When times get tough you will need a friend. See if you can find a homeschooling support group. Ask your church if there are any in your area. If you are having difficulty finding friends look on the internet. I have connected with a lot of like minded people on the web. I use twitter, facebook, and visit other people's blogs.

Remember you can be successful homeschooling children with special needs.

Back to Special Needs

If You Have Children Who Struggle With Learning See

Homeschool Language Arts has ideas for teaching phonics, spelling, and writing.

Homeschooling Math has ideas for teaching math facts, fractions and how to teach with manipulatives.