Four Lessons for the Special Needs LearnerFour Lessons for Homeschooling Parents of a Special Needs Child
1. Focus on Your Child’s Strengths and Interests As parents of children with special needs or learning disabilities, we often hear about what our children can’t do. While it's important to be aware of their challenges, we shouldn't dwell on the “problem.” The real issue is that traditional education isn’t flexible enough to cater to these children’s unique strengths and allow them to flourish. With homeschooling, you have the luxury to customize your child’s curriculum to their exact needs and interests. If your child loves learning about space and is obsessed with NASA, center their subjects around that topic. Reading, math, spelling, writing, and history can all revolve around space, not just science. If your child has difficulty reading, use videos, games, documentaries, audiobooks, and field trips to bring subjects to life. You don’t need to recreate the traditional school structure at home. Think outside the box—chances are, your child already is! 2. Measure Your Child’s Progress Individually Traditional schools compare children’s progress based on grades and their peers. Homeschooling, however, focuses on your child’s individual progress. When setting academic goals, forget what you know about traditional school and concentrate on goals meaningful to your family. Each skill should be seen as its own achievement. For instance, your child may devour novels in a day but struggle with basic math skills. Progress in reading could mean advancing to technical reading or comprehending complex themes and expressing original ideas. For math, it might be a significant step to learn how to use a calculator effectively rather than drilling memorization. Or for your child, progress might be managing an afternoon without an outburst or setting a record by sitting at the table for 20 minutes. The key is to compare your child only to themselves, not to others. 3. Equip Your Child with Useful Tools If your child struggles with math facts, don’t force flashcards on them—hand them a calculator instead. Parents often worry about how their children with special needs will function as adults. We, as adults, function better with tools like computers, so teach your child how to use them effectively. If your child experiences anxiety in social situations, safe online communities can be a great way for them to make friends remotely. Focus on teaching life skills rather than stressing academic facts. Engage your child in real-life activities to prepare them for their future. Consider starting a local Facebook group to connect with other homeschoolers for fun life skills meet-ups. Get a group of kids together to plan a meal, give them a budget, make shopping lists, take them to the grocery store, and cook the meal together. It’s a great learning experience and an opportunity to make new friends. 4. Prioritize the Relationship Over Academic Gains Trust is essential! Connect with your child by entering their world. I had a client whose autistic son was overwhelmed by a recent school experience and retreated to a large refrigerator box he had turned into a safe space. I suggested his mom join him in the box. The results were amazing—he created a comfy space for her to join him, and they spent time chatting and laughing. Soon, he started sharing stories from school and discussing his struggles. This built trust, and he became more open to entering her world—a safe learning space she created just for him. He learned that his mom was a kind and patient teacher who listened to his needs and brought lessons to him in a way that worked for him. The relationship between a parent and a homeschooling child is invaluable. It makes the difference between constant arguments and joyful, successful learning. At the end of a long homeschooling day, the true accomplishment is the love between you and your child. P.S. for more homeschooling ideas, go to Blossom Learning.
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