|
 Homeschooling
a special needs child presents many unique challenges.
Depending on the learning disability or specific needs of
your child there are a variety of resources available to
you. There are also some unique issues you must be prepared
for. When we adopted our daughter three years ago we
knew she had severe hearing loss. We did not know that at 4
½ years old she had no language, no concept of language or
even a self-identity. This presented some real challenges to
me. Thankfully I had three years of homeschooling under my
belt so I was fairly confident as a homeschool mom that I
could still teach my daughter. It was difficult, and remains
very challenging, but it is worth the effort. |
Here are a few tips I learned along the way as a
homeschool mom. Keep
great notes.
It is unfortunate but some school districts will try harder to get your
child in to public school simply because they have a delay or
disability. I am a member of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association
(HSLDA) and early on
they encouraged me to keep very detailed notes about what I was doing,
doctor’s appointments, and visits with specialists. These are valuable
if the integrity of your homeschool is ever challenged.
2. Be
encouraged by small steps.
It is hard to look at your eight year old and see her being passed up by
her 7 year old and 5 year old sisters, but it is the reality. Instead of
comparing your special child to the standards of others, hold them up
against where THEY were a month ago, a year ago, three years ago or
longer. This is really the key to fighting discouragement in your
homeschooling, and fighting the low self-esteem that they will
experience if you are continually holding them up to an impossibly high
standard.
3.
Seek out resources, but be wary of Public School resources.
I was advised early on to be watchful of the allure of free programs at
the
 public
schools. It has been a financial struggle for us at times to get all of
the materials and resources for our daughter but it is worth it to know
we won’t have social workers knocking on our door challenging our
ability to teach our daughter. You can find more on this at HSLDA’s
website.
4. Finally,
believe in yourself. It is hard to see our children struggle. We
want to scoop them up and fix all of their problems-which instinct is
even stronger when a homeschooling parent spends the whole day with
their child watching them work for each small victory. It is crucial
that you believe in yourself and recognize that you are doing what is
best for your child and that, in the end; the effort pays off
tremendously.
Read more from this
Featured Homeschool Author
Additional Special Needs Resources that will help you.
Christian-Autism-how do these words go together? Learn how God
wants us to handle raising a child that has special needs. Author of the
book, "Finding God in Autism" it will give you Biblical Scripture to do
just that. Your toughest questions will be answered in this book. You
will learn that Christian Autism are two words that fit very well
together!
Downs Syndrome pamphlet This
pamphlet was prepared by Diane Brown and gives
an overview of the individual pamphlets that are included in this set.
The resources that are listed in the individual pamphlets have been used
by others that are teaching children with Down syndrome.
The Elisha
Foundation was founded to provide refreshment and encouragement to
families caring for people with special needs. Through programs such as
family retreats, we seek to provide access to resource professionals,
educational specialists and other valuable resources while spending
refreshing quality time as a family.
Building Blocks offers help for
those teaching Preschoolers With Special Needs
Diane Craft has
developed a unique diagnostic program that will reveal where the
learning process is breaking down for your child and will train the
parent in using the corrective steps that will help overcome the child's
processing "glitch". She also offers educational and nutritional
counseling that will dramatically improve your child's learning and
behavior.
Life Skills offers activities for Secondary Students with Special Needs
Essential Learning
Institute Improvement in reading, spelling, auditory/visual
processing, dyslexia, ADD/ADHD and more.
HeadsUp NOW is a
company designed to provide expert information and products for special
needs children.
Learning
Abled Kids is a resource and support site designed to provide
families with information, curriculum resources, and tools to help you
teach your bright child with learning issues at home.
Little Giant
Steps has provided helpful solutions for accelerating learning
abilities in individuals whether they are gifted or challenged.
National Association for
Child Development provides unique services to homeschoolers. With a
long tradition in the active support of homeschooling, NACD helps
parents make their homeschooling efficient, effective and enjoyable.
Open Gifts
provides highly practical suggestions and thought provoking insight all
wrapped up in a package that leaves you laughing.
Speech and Language Warehouse
has Speech therapy materials for parents, teachers, child-care workers,
and speech therapists
Riverbend Down Syndrome Parent Support Group is incorporated in
Illinois as a not-for-profit corporation, and a which supports and
informs parents of children with Down syndrome in Southwestern Illinois.
Their aim is to support each other and enrich the lives of their
children so they may reach their fullest potential to lead an
independent life within the community.
|
|
Homeschool
Families love our extensive Christian
Curriculum Information Directory, and Resource overviews
for Christian Homeschool Educators. |
|
SIGN UP NOW to receive our
monthly newsletter! Our subscribers receive incredible DISCOUNT
offers as well as news and encouragement that is specifically
for Homeschoolers.
|
Help other Homeschoolers while your
help yourself!
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR FAMILY FRIENDLY
SUPPORT
GROUPS
|
