The Homeschooling Community and Supporting Homeschoolers with Children with Special Needs

Matthew 25: 31-46

In every homeschooling community you will find homeschoolers educating children with special needs. You may not see a lot of them but they do exist.

Why don’t you see them?

They may not be comfortable bringing their child with special needs to events and gatherings due to social, behavioral and/or physical issues.

They may be using all their available energy to meet the needs of their family and their child with special needs.

They may not feel their children are accepted as fully participating members of the community.

Does the homeschooling community have a responsibility to nurture and support those homeschooling children with special needs?

The homeschooling community is primarily made up of Christian families. Jesus welcomed – even healed - many people with special needs. He gave them His time and attention. Why should the Christian homeschooling community be any different?

Many of these families are already a part of the homeschooling community. Their children with special needs should be welcomed into the community as every other child is welcomed.

Individuals with special needs are an often marginalized segment of society. They are often excluded because they look and/or act differently. Much of society doesn’t value those with significant needs and/or cognitive challenges. In fact, many with known genetic syndromes are aborted in utero. Babies created in Him image disposed of as useless tissue!

Let the homeschooling community be different. Embrace those with special needs and their families as Jesus would!

What you, as an individual, can do:

In every homeschooling community you will find many who would love to support those homeschooling children with special needs but aren’t sure what they can do.

1. Acknowledge we are dealing with more than the typical homeschooling family.

We acknowledge that every child is special but we do deal with challenges beyond the typical family which impact our lives, our marriages, our typically developing children and our relationships in the community. Often times, we work endlessly to find ways to meet the needs of our child with special needs and spend many more hours per day meeting that child’s needs to helping him/her reach beyond their challenges.

2. Keep a mental list of those you meet in the homeschooling community with children with special needs.

When you meet someone who homeschools a child with special needs, ask them if they know so and so who also homeschools a child with special needs. Those relationships can provide invaluable support.

3. Do not be afraid to approach the family.

Many people just don’t know what to say or do. Let us lead the way for you. As you get to know the family, you will probably be surprised by the blessings they know as a parent of a child with special needs.

You will discover that our lives are more than our child's diagnosis. We, as a family, are just like your family. Beyond the challenges we face, are the same dreams and hopes for our children...and we share many of the same problems.

4. Don't be afraid to inquire about the child’s special needs.

Most families are quite willing to share – they live with those special needs day in and day out.

5. Do not be afraid of the child with special needs.

They may look different or act differently but they are always children first. The nonverbal child will appreciate a smile, a light touch and friendly conversation – just like every other child. Some children will have ‘invisible’ special needs and are also in need of your support and understanding.

6. Educate your children about our special blessings and encourage friendships.

It is important for children with special needs to have friendships with typically developing children. Children with special needs learn a great deal from peer relationships. There peers will learn a great deal about befriending those who really are more like them than different and valuing all of God's creation.

7. Include the family openly and lovingly in homeschooling group activities.

Your kindness will be deeply appreciated.

8. Allow us the opportunity to educate your co-op, field trip group, and/or social group on the special needs of our child.

This may help others feel more comfortable with our children. We hope they will be valued for who they are and not their diagnosis…and included as fully as possible.

9. Mentoring opportunities.

Older typically developing children can be of great assistance to the family homeschooling a child with special needs during group activities. Having an older buddy guide them through those activities has many mutual benefits.

10. Do remember the siblings.

At times, people forget about the devoted siblings. Growing up alongside a child with special needs comes with many blessings but sometimes they need to be acknowledged for who they are individually. No one really wants to be known only as the sibling of the child with special needs.

11. Invite the parents out or over for an occasional social activity.

We need to just be grownups sometimes and away from our daily responsibilities.

12. If you are so called, offer respite care on occasion.

An hour or two on occasion will provide refreshment for the overwhelmed parent. Perhaps you have a teen willing to be trained in meeting the family’s needs for a short time. Helping with some light household tasks or entertaining a toddler will be huge for a family dealing with a child with special needs.

13. Do not feel sorry for us.

We don’t need sympathy when, for the most part, we are abundantly blessed! Most often we just need fellowship but there are episodic times of grieving for those raising children with special needs.

14. Empathy is genuinely needed at times.

Offer your ear and an open heart when we do struggle. Sometimes we just might need someone to listen. Even if you can’t truly understand, a compassionate heart might be all that is needed.

15. Pray for our families as you feel led.

We all need prayer but we might have different specific needs.

What can the greater homeschooling community do?

This needs to be a ministry to an often marginalized group of families. A little extra effort to support our families will go a long way.

Don’t expect those homeschooling children with special needs to have the time and energy to give to the greater community on a regular basis. They are too often overwhelmed by what they have been called to do – especially in the early years where they are dealing with their child’s diagnosis, seeking answers to why their child isn’t developing typically, frequent visits to physicians and/or therapists, dealing with behavioral challenges and meeting the needs of the rest of their family. This is the time when support is needed most.

Some other suggestions:

• Acknowledge that families homeschooling children with special needs exist – then ask how you can support them.
• Have special needs resources in your local homeschooling library or keep of list of print resources for referral.
• Have links to special needs resources on the internet on your homeschooling association’s website.
• Also include links to local, state and national support groups for those homeschooling children with special needs..
• Seek out those who homeschool children with special needs as mentors for those inquiring about homeschooling their child with special needs.
• Print an occasional article about homeschooling children with special needs in your newsletters.
• Think about convention support. There are many speakers available to support the homeschooling and special needs community.
  

I promise you will be blessed in giving a little or a lot. When you reflect God’s love for all of His creation – especially those with special needs – you will discover a heart more inclined to love as Jesus calls us to love. Bless and be blessed!

Lent & Beyond

I've been thinking this week about the very gifted Anglican bloggers that I have become acquainted with around the blogosphere. I am very grateful for their talents and their ability to share how they bring our faith into the home and live the church year - every day, not just Sundays, Holy Days, feasts and commemorations.

When I served on our diocesan youth council, all the buzz at leadership conferences spoke to moving the church's teachings from Sunday school to the home - teaching families how to bring the faith home and live it. I've not seen the trickle-down yet from those conferences but I have found it all right here in the blogging community!

One of my favorite places to visit is a prayer blog called Lent & Beyond. If there is a resource out there Lent & Beyond will probably have it. If you need an answer to a question, it's probably there. Lent & Beyond is all about prayer and living the faith. It is my go to resource!

Karen has put together a Lenten round-up that includes most of my blogging friends and some I don't know but will get to know through their writing. Thanks to all of you who give so much!

Don't forget to visit Jessica's blog, Homemaking Through the Church Year, for some fabulous looking meatless recipes for the Lenten fast.

Looking to Lent

"Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return." p. 265 BCP

These words frightened me as a child. Then, I just wasn’t capable of understanding the big picture that comes with Christ's sacrifice for our redemption. Yes, I am dust – really nothing except for who I am in Jesus Christ. Jesus, who came to earth to die for me and you so that we may know eternal life in Him.

Now, these words bring me joy, a subdued joy, but joy nonetheless. As I mature and can better understand just how much His life, suffering and death mean for humanity, I am awed at just how much God loves us. We don’t deserve salvation as wicked, sinful creatures but it is ours! How grateful I am for the Holy Eucharist that follows the Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday!

I intend to keep Lent as the penitential season we know it to be with more solitude, prayer, self-examination and fasting – all that is intended to draw me closer to Him. I look forward to it with excitement even - for what will be revealed to me will be precious. I am going to keep a Lenten journal this year to record what I’ve learned and things I should meditate on.

Do you have a little quiet corner for solitude, prayer and study?



This is my little space.



Here, I will be spending time learning more about the Desert Fathers.

The Wisdom of the Desert by Thomas Merton

The Desert: An Anthology for Lent by John Moses

Bridges to Contemplative Living by Thomas Merton

I would also like to begin Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross.


Yes, I am dust but I hope to someday rise in glory with all those who have gone before me as a child of God.

FAQs Homeschooling Children with Down Syndrome and Other Special Needs

Over the years, I've been asked many questions about homeschooling children with special needs. I thought I would post the most frequently asked questions just in case you needed to know!

Is it legal to homeschool children with Down syndrome and other special needs?

Homeschooling is legal across the U.S. – even for children with special needs. The level of accountability varies state to state so it is good to know the law and level of accountability of the state in which you live.

Why do parents decide to homeschool their child with special needs?

Many families I know are already firmly ensconced in the homeschooling lifestyle when their child with special needs is born. Some are medically fragile. Others research homeschooling knowing their child will face obstacles to learning that may be better targeted at home. Some come to homeschooling because of difficulties they have experienced in the public school system

Don’t you need special training to educate a child with special needs?

Many parents I know that have turned to homeschooling with a degree in special education say that their degree is often a hindrance! In getting their degree, they are often given the big picture but it doesn’t help them homeschool their child with special needs.

Is there a special curriculum for homeschooling children with special needs?

The short answer is - not really. Curriculum choices should be based on the unique needs of each child. I would encourage you to look outside the homeschooling world for those children with significant special needs. There is a great deal out there to choose from.

The longer answer: Many known syndromes and disorders are associated with known behavioral traits. These traits give us a profile of strengths and weaknesses that we can target to create better learning environments. For example, children with autism are known to have communication and social deficits – part of their phenotype. Therefore, they need specific teaching in social skills presented primarily visually to impact learning.

Homeschooling children with special needs takes creativity in adapting what is available to the child's strengths and weaknesses.

How about special curricula for children with Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is the most researched of all causes of intellectual disability. Much is known about the strengths and weaknesses of children with Ds. Therefore, there are targeted interventions known to help them learn. Researchers are working to provide tools and curriculum to aid learning – much of it targeting early learners.

See:
Bob Jones University Press Adapted Curriculum (send me an e-mail for more information)
See and Learn
Numicon
Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County Learning Program

Where do I go for information and support?

I would suggest you seek out others homeschooling children with the same diagnosis as your child. It is great to have face to face support so check out your local homeschooling association. The internet is also a great place to find others for support. Yahoo Groups has a support for almost anything you can think of! Just type homeschooling and ____ (fill in the blank with your child’s diagnosis) into the search engine and you will most like find a group to provide information and support.

How do I know if my child is learning?

You know your child best and you will become very familiar with what they know and what they are learning as you see them implement the knowledge they have learned. Many families use a developmental and/or academic skills inventory to help them set goals and display learning progress.

See:
VORT (my favorite)
The Brigance

Where do I start?

Right where you child is functioning – then build up the skills he/she has. Many families use one of the above developmental skills inventories to gauge where their child is functioning and choose curriculum that fits their learning style. Learning styles are important in children with special needs in targeting their individual learning needs.

What about professionals?

I believe professionals can be an invaluable resource in supporting homeschooling families – if they are well educated in the child’s diagnosis, targeted interventions….and have the child’s best interests at heart. We have found it most beneficial to search the private sector for professional help. Those within the system tend to be bogged down by the system and not as interested in the individual with special needs and their family.

Have you heard of the neurodevelopmental approach?

Many homeschoolers use neurodevelopmental consultants to develop very specific home programs for their children. Neurodevelopmentalists design a program to build on the neurological framework to support skill development. This in contrast to mainstream approaches which are skills based.

See:
NACD: National Association for Child Development
Hope and a Future Linda Kane
ICAN: International Christian Association of Neurodevelopmentalists

Note: I am not necessarily recommending the neurdevelopmental approach (lack of peer-reviewed research) but many parents of children with Down syndrome and other special needs find their services beneficial - especially in the areas of reading and memory. Having not used this approach, I really have no opinion - just awareness of the support families get using their services.

Do I need legal protection?

Legal protection is a sensitive and somewhat controversial subject. Homeschoolers can become a target of well-meaning public school authorities and social workers. Homeschoolers with children with special needs can be particularly vulnerable. In my opinion the persecution of homeschoolers is pretty rare. Research the need carefully - no one wants to be caught unaware.

Home School Legal Defense Association
Pacific Justice Institute
National Home Education Legal Defense
The Rutherford Institute

What about socialization?

I think what most concerns most people considering homeschooling their child with special needs is not socialization (the process by which the norms and standards of our society are passed from one generation to another) but socializing – the gathering for communal activities where friendships are formed. I have found the homeschooling community THE most inclusive of communities and the opportunities for socializing are endless and not a problem.

Any other questions?

Deals for the Month of February from DownsEd

DownsEd is well known for research and practical support for those of us raising children with Down syndrome. Down Syndrome Education International is a wonderful resource and their website is full of information at the tip of a keystroke.

The deals for the month of February from DownsEd

"Woodbine House

Save up to 25% when ordering through the DownsEd USA Store on recommended books from Woodbine House include the latest (3rd) edition of Babies with Down Syndrome - ideal for new parents who have welcomed a baby with Down syndrome into their lives and available in English and in Spanish. Also available are the recently published Fasten Your Seatbelt - the first book written exclusively for teens with a brother or sister with Down syndrome - and Gifts 2 - How People with Down Syndrome Enrich the World - a collection of essays by siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, as well as mothers of older children.



Numicon Math Teaching Kits
Save up to 10% on selected Numicon number teaching kits when ordering through the DownsEd USA Store. Numicon multi-sensory math resources use structured shapes to represent numbers. This visual representation can help children with Down syndrome understand number concepts. Available kits include the Numicon Firm Foundations One to One Kit, Numicon Firm Foundations Class Kit, Closing the Gap with Numicon Kit, Numicon Kit 1 One to One, Numicon Kit 1 Class Kit, Numicon Kit 2 One to One and Numicon Kit 2 Class Kit.


POPs Resources
Save up to 10% on the POPS Reading Programm when ordering through the DownsEd USA Store. The POPS resources progress in small easy steps with extensive use of games to reinforce learning. Available packs include the (first) Red Elephant Series Packs 1-4. Also available is the the (second) Blue Elephant Series Packs 1-4.

Greenhouse Publications Interactive Reading Books
Save up to 10% on interactive reading books and other resources from Greenhouse Publications when ordering through the DownsEd USA Store. The interactive reading books utilize the power of visual strategies so beginning readers can learn to associate pictures with words. Students move and attach picture cards with hook and loop fasteners to match, identify, label, sequence and create sentences while learning to read. Available books include How Many?, What Color Is It?, I Go To School, Things I Do At Home, Action!, Sounds Good To Me, The Ups and Downs of Opposites and How Do I Feel?"

These are all recommended resources for children with Down syndrome and target their specific learning profile but tend to be on the expensive side as far as cost. Some things, like the ability to read when facing so many obstacles to learning, are priceless!