Homeschooling and learning disabilities, a combination that you’ll hear often in the home education community. In fact, it’s one of the biggest reasons why parents choose to homeschool their children.
Although learning disabilities often get put under a negative light in the school system, that’s genuinely not the case. In this post, I’d like to highlight the benefits of homeschooling children with learning disabilities.
Homeschooling a Child with Learning Disabilities
Before diving into the benefits, let’s look at what learning disabilities are in the first place. These are defined as any medical condition that prevents a person from acquiring the same amount of knowledge as others in their respective age groups. Keep in mind that this is a general definition.
There are times when a child may not have a learning disability and simply need additional help or a change in instruction. These moments do not constitute a learning disability label and should go through the proper procedures before being labeled as such.
With this in mind, here are the most common learning disabilities:
Regardless of the type of learning disability your child may have, there are many benefits to homeschooling your child with any special need.
Benefits of Homeschooling Children with Learning Disabilities
Homeschooling Provides Centered Attention for Children with Learning Disabilities
When in a classroom setting, it can be difficult to truly focus on the students with special needs. The homeschooling setting provides more centered attention on the child with the proper attention being paid to the learning issues.
Adjustments Can Be Made Much Easier
Another perk to homeschooling and learning disabilities is the opportunity to make any necessary adjustments. If/When you notice your child needing a quick change in a lesson, schedule, or the like, you can do it. Needing to make quick adjustments also come in handy if there are a lot of appointments and therapies in the schedule.
Homeschooling Gives You the Ability to Go Where Your Child’s Needs Lead
Instead of sticking to a predetermined list of milestones created by a public or private school system, you can generate your own according to your child’s specific needs. This helps release the pressures of having to measure up or reach a goal in a certain amount of time.
Homeschooling Allows for Much-Needed Breaks and Downtime
Depending on the specific learning disability, your child may need to take extra breaks between activities, spend more time on one assignment, or need longer downtime overall. This is 100% acceptable in the homeschool setting. In fact, you can tailor your child’s lesson plans to accommodate the breaks needed.
Children with Learning Disabilities are Often More Successful Because of Homeschooling
Because you’re able to teach according to your child’s unique learning style, make any necessary changes, and implement strategies to help them thrive – homeschooling helps children be more successful. You are able to be your child’s number one teacher, advocate, and guidance counselor. It’s genuinely a win-win!
How to Start Homeschooling a Child with Learning Disabilities
First, you’ll want to research the homeschooling laws for your state. If your child is currently enrolled in a public or private school, you’ll most likely have some paperwork to complete to legally unenroll them. If they’ve never attended public or private school, you still may have some things to do.
Once you have everything squared away legally, you’re now ready to take steps toward homeschool planning. Some parents choose to start with a schedule while others would rather have a routine.
The other aspects of planning include curriculum and lesson plans. In some cases, it may be easier to start with a boxed curriculum while others find it better to build their own from free or inexpensive resources.
Then, all there is left to do is implement the things you’ve put in place. Remember to keep the pressure low by always considering your child’s learning disability and planning accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Homeschooling children with learning disabilities has always been intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. The overall goal is to provide your child with unique learning opportunities that will help them become meaningful members of society. Take it one day and one plan at a time.
Don’t hesitate to switch things up or feel compelled to use methods, systems, and strategies that do not work.
