As a homeschooling parent, you have access to two important advantages that many classroom teachers do not:

A close understanding of how your child learns and what motivates them. After all, no one knows your child better than you do.

The freedom to fully customize your child's education according to their strengths, interests, and individual needs.

It is important to remember that, for some students with special needs, an effective curriculum is only one part of their education. They may also benefit from specialized services such as vision therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, reading intervention, or other individualized support.

What Makes a Curriculum Special-Needs Friendly?

An effective curriculum for students with special needs typically:

Incorporates multisensory materials and activities that engage different learning styles. (See the Learning Styles section.)

Offers lessons and resources that are flexible and easily adaptable.

Uses direct instruction with lessons that are explicit, sequential, repetitive, or spiral in design, allowing concepts to be reinforced over time.

Provides ongoing opportunities for meaningful and engaging practice.

Some curricula are designed specifically for students with learning challenges. However, families do not need to limit themselves to "special needs" curricula. Many traditional programs can be successfully adapted to meet a child's individual learning needs.

Your Child Does Not Have to Learn According to Chronological Age

There is no requirement that homeschooled students use books or curriculum designed only for their chronological age or grade level.

Homeschooling allows parents to personalize instruction so children can progress at the pace that best fits their abilities. As both administrator and primary instructor, you have the flexibility to shape your child's educational experience according to their unique needs.

Supplement Your Curriculum

Making intentional adjustments to learning materials or the educational environment helps remove barriers to learning. These reasonable accommodations may include:

Audiobooks.

Educational DVDs and videos.

Educational apps.

Board games and learning games.

Speech-to-text software.

Calculators.

Hands-on manipulatives.

Other adaptive educational technologies and resources.

Adapt the Curriculum

You do not have to follow the pace, sequence, or intensity originally prescribed by a curriculum.

Instead, you may adjust expectations, assignments, and learning objectives to better fit your child's abilities and educational needs.

Generally, the greater the student's learning needs, the more significant these curriculum adjustments may need to be.

It is also important to recognize that some special needs cannot be fully addressed through curriculum modifications alone. Specialized therapies are often essential in helping children reach their full potential.

Family Resources

Access ERIC

Brochure: "How Can I Support My Gifted Child?"

Additional publications on related topics are also available.

Phone: 800-538-3742

The Alliance for Technology Access

Foundation for Technology Access

2173 East Francisco Blvd., Suite L
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: 415-455-4575

American Printing House for the Blind

P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085

CBEL

CBEL is a website that provides numerous links and educational resources related to special education.

ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education

Brochure: "How to Recognize and Develop Your Children's Special Talent"

Additional educational resources are available upon request.

Phone: 800-601-4868

Learning Disabilities Association of America

4156 Library Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349

Phone: 412-341-1515

National Association for Child Development

549 25th Street
Ogden, Utah 84401-2422 USA

Phone: (801) 621-8606
Fax: (801) 621-8389

National Association for the Visually Handicapped

Information Resources and Inquiries Branch

5600 Fishers Lane
Room 7C-02 MSC 8030
Bethesda, MD 20892-8030

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013

Phone: (800) 695-0285
Fax: (202) 884-8441

World of Dyslexia

A resource for anyone interested in dyslexia, including information on dyslexia testing and assessment, teaching children with dyslexia, guidance for parents, coping strategies for adults with dyslexia, free articles, current research, and many additional educational resources.