Before I share a tidbit or two about this for those with a special needs child, please accept my hugs, love and prayers. Too, I want to say I do not have a special needs child. Then how can I write this?
Because for years and years I have been mentoring them, supporting them, crying with them and lovin’ them. I don’t know if it qualifies me anymore or less, but I want to share with you what I have learned in mentoring them, in the hopes it can give you comfort, strength and courage.
Homeschooling A Special Needs Child
First, nobody TRULY understands your circumstances more than you do. As each new learning approach and curriculum comes along, you will have to analyze it and see if it works for you. Your love for your child and understanding their heart along with prayer will guide you to successfully navigate your way through this journey.
Too, homeschooling a special needs child takes courage but also there will be times that you will need to get away from them. In order to be refreshed and renew your energy, take time to do that. You need this more so than any other parent that is homeschooling. On a daily basis, you may be dealing with outright acting up to almost no input receive from your child.
A networking system of either support from your spouse, extended family members or an agency set up to help you is absolutely necessary so that you can persevere.
There is not really a curriculum for a special needs child. However, there is curriculum that is more “user friendly” as far as making it fit your child’s need.
READ, READ, READ everything you can on your child’s disorder and determine to become “THE EXPERT” in whatever your child was diagnosed with.
Here are few book I enjoyed:
Taking Charge of ADHD – Russell Barkley. Also, his website has some nice fact sheets that you mind find helpful.
Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level – Dr. Sally Shaywitz
Also, look at Jan Bedell’s site who is a homeschooling mom and neurodevelopmentalist. She does have some curriculum that is more “user friendly”. She has a free auditory test kit as well on her site.
http://www.littlegiantsteps.com/. They are constantly given free evaluations.
Lastly, accept your child for who he is and not what you think he should be. Remember, love has no limits.
From my heart to yours, please know that all you moms and dads of special needs children have a soft place in my heart. You CAN DO IT!!
©Tina Robertson
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