The Benefits of Homeschooling a Child with Special Needs

I guess I might be considered a veteran homeschooling mom by now - my girls are 13 and 16 y.o. and have been homeschooled for their entire lives. I have had the added blessing of homeschooling my daughter with special needs so I thought I would share with you my list of the benefits of homeschooling a child with special needs:

• The child with special needs can receive the one-on-one teaching that will enable them to grow academically. This cannot be matched in the public school setting.

• The program designed for them by the person who knows their needs intimately. Your home program will best suit their individual needs. You can create a balanced program that does not sacrifice academic skills for life skills.

• The child can learn at his/her own pace to allow their needs to be met properly. Concepts can be taught with the repetition necessary for mastery using a wide variety of materials ensuring success appropriate to the child's needs and developmental age.

• The child will have the opportunity for successful learning experiences that will motivate them to develop persistence in learning difficult concepts.

• The child learns academic and functional life skills in the best of all venues - real life. Fractions are important when it comes time to share a pizza!

• The child with special needs can learn where they are safe from peer ridicule. Many children with special needs are the object of peer ridicule because of processing difficulties, difficulty expressing themselves, physical impairments or cognitive challenges. They can make mistakes where it is safe to do so – their own home.

• The parent can pick and choose social opportunities. Homeschooled children are not limited to socializing with only their peers. They tend to socialize with children and adults of all ages for a wide variety of experiences. Homeschooled children are less affected by peer pressure.

• Character development and behavior issues can be dealt with by providing an environment where limits and consequences are consistently enforced. Homeschooling can offer atmosphere where the choices and consequences are articulated as necessary to make the best choice available and wrong choices can be discussed and dealt with consistently.

• The spiritual needs of children with special needs can be met best in our own homes where they will be exposed to the love and word of God. In a world where many of our children seen as "disposable" and somehow less worthy (especially children with Down syndrome), they need to know that God has a plan for them and loves them unconditionally. God does not make mistakes! "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14, NIV.

• The health benefits are tremendous. Children exposed to Early Intervention in group settings and the public school system are constantly exposed to every viral/bacterial illness present in the community. Homeschooled children with special needs can avoid many of these common illnesses until they are older and better able to tolerate them.

© 2008