Examining Curriculum for Homeschooling Children with Special Needs

[author] [author_info]This is the final of three posts by our guest blogger Terri Harmon. You can read the last two posts here and here. Terri works for New Tribes Mission at the Training Center in Roach, Missouri as part of the Families in Ministry Department. She helps with education-related questions from families overseas and in the training program who are headed overseas.[/author_info] [/author] When examining curriculum options, consider these 8 tips:

1) Choose a curriculum that capitalizes on your child’s strengths and meshes with his dominant learning modality (kinesthetic, visual, auditory).
2) Choose a curriculum that has a good routine and structure. Children with special needs like routine and it helps them to stay focused because they know what to expect in their day
3) No one curriculum will fit every LD child and you have liberty to modify whatever curriculum you choose (e.g. don’t assign every problem if he’s getting a concept).
4) Choose a curriculum that covers the basics of reading, writing and math well and concentrate on those subjects first. Once your child is reading well, then start to add in science, social studies and other subjects.
5) Choose a curriculum that is for average learners and not so advanced that it is frustrating.
6) Choose a curriculum that uses repetition to reinforce concepts. Children with learning disabilities will need to hear things over and over again before it finally makes sense.
7) Be willing to change your curriculum choice if it is not working at all with your child.
8) Initially, choose a math curriculum that has problems in a workbook that the child can fill in (many mistakes happen during recopying and with alignment issues).

Resources:

1) Watch “How Difficult Can This Be?” by Richard Lavoie (PBS). This DVD helps you as a non-LD parent to understand what school and life is like for your LD child, and will help you to be more compassionate and aware of life for your child.  www.ricklavoie.com
2) Joyce Herzog has a lot of good books and resources that help with LD issues and homeschooling. Check these out on her website at www.joyceherzog.info.

o Choosing and Using Curriculum (chapter 25 has specific tips for adapting materials for special needs)

o Learning in Spite of Labels gives practical strategies for working with children with LD issues

o Luke’s Life List is a checklist of skills from the cradle through adolescence, a list of objectives and goals, a record-keeping system, a planning book and evaluation system all-in-one. It’s like your ready-made IEP (Individualized Education Plan). (Based on Luke 2:52)

o Luke’s School List is a companion to Luke’s Life List but with academic goals.

3) Learning Disabilities and ADHD website with many resources: www.ldonline.org
4) Homeschooling Children with Special Needs by Sharon Hensley
5) Davis Dyslexia Correction Program: www.dyslexia.com
6) Vitamin therapies such as Super Nu Thera vitamins: www.kirkmanlabs.com
7) Feingold diet: www.feingold.org
8) Balametrics therapy: www.balametrics.com

Final Thoughts:
While homeschooling a child with special needs is possible for families serving abroad, I encourage parents to take one year at a time and evaluate the situation often. If homeschooling doesn’t seem to be meeting the needs of your child and is putting too much stress on your family and ministry, then you may want to consider other options. Choosing to use another option is NOT a failure as a parent. Give yourself permission to get outside help and use the many resources available for children with special needs. Your child is a gift, and you will be amazed at the things the Father will teach him and you throughout his schooling years!

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