There are many reasons why families decide to home educate their children with special needs. Each family has a unique perspective, but I have noticed some trends. Some of the reasons families begin homeschooling include:
- Time for therapies
- Bonding and family time
- Flexibility helps with medical issues and meltdowns
- Testing, and the possible anxiety that comes with it, is not usually necessary
- One-on-one instruction/activities
- Time to practice social skills
- Practice making safe, wise decisions in a safe environment
- Time for life skills practice
Portfolios
Portfolios for students with special needs are required in some states. Here in Florida, you need a portfolio if you utilize a letter of intent. However, if you use an umbrella school or full time FLVS (Florida Virtual School) you do not need a portfolio.
If you do choose to use a letter of intent, make sure you turn in your portfolio evaluation by the anniversary of the date you began your home education program. A certified teacher can complete your form. Other options are available, though they require testing or a psychologist so many families choose a portfolio evaluation due to the lower cost because testing is not necessary. More information about portfolios and evaluations in Florida can be found in this post.
In Florida, your student’s portfolio must include work samples, an activities list, and a curriculum list. Be sure you:
- Highlight
- Life skills
- Learning gains (even if at a level different than chronological age)
- Include any info which shows learning gains
- Parent observation
- Tutor or therapist notes/progress reports
- Photos with captions
- Class pamphlets
Observations
Written observations share what you observe the child doing throughout the year and are a wonderful way to highlight your student’s learning gains. Occupational therapists, psychologists, play therapists, parents, and others who interact with your child can provide observations. Include information about life skills, behavioral skills, social skills, and academic skills.
Accommodations
You may choose to utilize your child’s IEP for accommodations. It is okay to use options such as assistive technology, tablet apps, text to speech or speech to text apps, recordings of lessons, videos, and audiobooks. Repetition may be needed, and extra time is okay. Hands-on activities and whole-body lessons which integrate multiple senses are a wise choice whenever possible.
Support and Encouragement
It is important to consider who you will rely upon when feeling tired or stressed out. You can use online programs which include videos/instruction (Time 4 Learning, Reading Eggs, Teaching Textbooks, Khan academy, Outschool), co-op and support groups (online or in person), hire a tutor, or other resources such as local classes (Library classes or similar options may be available).
Demand Avoidance
Demand avoidance is the refusal to comply with expectations or directions. Sometimes DA occurs because of anxiety. When this happens, punishment is not going to work. Instead, try these options to help move through learning roadblocks.
- Stay calm
- Back away from personal space
- Only touch/hug if your child will calm this way unless there is danger
- Encourage a comfort item or activity
- Allow time to calm from big emotions before task is started or restarted
- Break tasks down into smaller tasks
- Use lists and calendars to manage expectations and demands
- Consider unschooling or planning school subjects/lessons together
Additional Strategies
Many children benefit when adults utilize the strategies listed below. Make sure you regulate your moods and emotions before working with your child to regulate their emotions. If you are feeling overwhelmed or angry, take a break if possible and then try again later when calm. This will help de-escalate the situation and model how to calm down so your child can observe how to calm themselves, too.
- First, then
- Make lists
- Discuss expectations well in advance, then remind and repeat
- If it isn’t working, try again later
- Work as a team
- Consider student interests and needs when choosing activities
- Get out and about regularly
- Use hands-on activities often
Homeschooling is becoming more common and families who have a child with special needs are seeing gains in life skills, emotional skills, and academic learning. If you are interested in a personalized consultation, please reach out to me. I am happy to help. If you have started homeschooling and would like a aren’t training session, please let me know. I focus on topics including elementary education, early childhood education, literacy skills, life skills, social skills, and more.