Homeschooling Special Needs Children
Every child is special, from their individual freckles right down to the size of their pinky toes! But some children have needs that are considered “extra” special — outside the scope of the ordinary. If your child fits into this category, then you understand that they are learners with special needs, as well.
Parents who have been battling the school system for a curriculum adaptation for special needs or suitable learning accommodations often feel like their time could be better spent. They may start to ask themselves, “Can I homeschool my special needs child?” The answer, of course, is a resounding, “Yes!”
If you are exploring the option of homeschooling your special needs child, the following information can help:
- Education of Children with Special Needs
- Homeschool Curriculum for Special Needs Students
- Homeschooling a Child with Dyslexia
- Homeschooling a Child with Autism
- Homeschooling a Child with Down Syndrome
- Homeschooling a Child with ADHD
- Homeschooling a Child with Auditory Processing Disorder
- Why Time4Learning Works for Students with Special Needs
Homeschool Curriculum for Special Needs Students
Fortunately for homeschooling parents, there is no need for an advanced degree in special education to adequately teach a child. Many curricula available today are well-suited for teaching children with special needs.
When evaluating special needs curriculum for homeschooling, you should make sure that it:
- Proceeds at the students own pace.
- Builds on existing reading, writing and math skills.
- Allows placement and progress for each child at independent levels for math and language arts.
- Encourages kids to become active learners through exploration and discovery.
- Introduces new learning opportunities in a safe, supportive environment.
- Balances learning with fun!
Multimedia curriculum and software is perfect for children with short attention spans, autism, processing disorders, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. For parents who want an overall curriculum for their special needs learners, there is Time4Learning. With interactive multimedia lessons, text-to-speech capabilities, and on-board writing tools, this is one of the most engaging and accessible homeschool programs for special needs available.
Homeschooling a Child with Dyslexia
If you are the parent of a child with dyslexia, you have probably searched long and hard for ways to help your child learn. Because children with dyslexia are often highly intelligent, creative, gifted, and productive, you can often capitalize on your student’s strengths to make the most of homeschooling.
Learn helpful dyslexia teaching strategies for reading, writing, math, and more to your homeschooler on our Homeschooling a Child with Dyslexia page.
Homeschooling a Child with Autism
Parents of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have their fair share of educational struggles. In terms of education, children with autism don’t learn the way other children learn — by observing and imitating what they see.
Did you know, Time4Learning is a Certified Autism Resource since 2016? Learn how we can help your child in our homeschooling a child with autism page.
Homeschooling a Child with Down Syndrome
Parents of children with Down syndrome sometimes feel at a loss when it comes to their child’s education. Even curriculum for special education students doesn’t always fit their child’s individual needs. Homeschooling provides the flexibility to mix and match resources, tools, and curricula for children with Down syndrome. Learn more on our Homeschooling a Child with Down Syndrome page.
Homeschooling a Child with ADHD
You can give your child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) an education that can be catered to their needs to help them gain confidence and perform better academically.
Learn more on our Homeschooling a Child with ADHD page.
Homeschooling a Child with Auditory Processing Disorder
Many of the symptoms of APD—such as being bothered by noisy environments, reading, spelling or speech-language difficulty, and disorganization—can be especially problematic in a traditional school setting. These problems often can be minimized greatly in the more structured home environment. Uncover some of the advantages of homeschooling a child with auditory processing disorder as well as tips for teaching to them on our Homeschooling a Child with Auditory Processing Disorder page.
Why Time4Learning Works for Students with Special Needs
Time4Learning is a great homeschool and afterschool partner because it offers each child their own learning path, with animated lessons, interactive activities, unit assessments, and integrated printable worksheets for reinforcement. Here are other ways the Time4Learning curriculum specifically addresses special learning needs:
- Activities are clearly organized and formatted consistently within each level.
- Concepts are repeated, reviewed, and summarized for clarity.
- Language arts texts can be read online or printed in PDF format for offline use.
- Students can work at their own pace in the assessment tests and in the learning activities.
- Activities teach concepts through songs, graphics, videos.
- Visual enhancements include font, font size, spacing and color for contrast.
- Bullets and numbering are used when teaching concepts.
- Graphic organizers are used to create rubrics.
- Graphics and pictures are added to practice sheets and tests.
- Activities use the different intelligences.
- Activities use interactive games, puzzles and programs that have built in feedback and repetition capabilities.
- Activities have tasks that are broken up into manageable units which help improve student self-esteem.
- Multimedia in activities is used to trigger the sympathetic imagination and improve emotional intelligence.
Time4Learning and Special Needs Success Stories
The Ease Of Use Is Astounding!
By Jennifer, Mother of Aspergers and Generalized Anxiety child
“My child has Aspergers and Generalized Anxiety and it is perfect for her. She loves the animation and visual learning style. Her progress is awesome!”
