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Special Needs
Homeschooling a child with "special needs" often brings on confusion for parents. This section of the NHEN website will provide resources for assisting parents as they figure out what they can do to best help their own child. If you are looking only for information related to a specific need/diagnosis, please look to the navigational bar on the left. Some diagnoses have larger amounts of information available than others. If you know of other resources that will help other parents or have other comments/suggestions, please send them to SpecialNeeds@nhen.org Companies and individuals providing services to these populations, should contact promotions@nhen.org for advertising information and assistance.
Legal Information
This section provides links to legal information about advocacy, special services, or more information about the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ'S)
From IEP's to legalities, this list of FAQ's will be helpful to read.
Parents Share Information
Parents in similar circumstances have graciously shared their thoughts and advice. While, this list of articles will be helpful to parents regardless of the specific "special need," some parents wrote about their experiences in relation to a particular diagnoses. You can access these articles through the topic at the bottom of the left navigational bar.
But I have so many questions!
by Jean Kulczyk
Jean's warm and experienced advice is a true gem for parents of children with special needs. For years, she has helped other parents cope with some of the hurdles they have and will encounter.
Ten Steps to Successfully Homeschooling Children with Special Needs
by Janie Bowman
"Has homeschooling been hard? Sometimes. Interesting? Who said living with children with special needs is boring? Can it be done? Yes!" Janie shares her insights.
Dealing with Social Difficulties: Helping Your Special-Needs Child Succeed in Personal Relationships
by Ofra Obejas
"Does your son display inappropriate behavior at park day? Is your daughter the only girl in her Scouts troop without a best friend? The solution is here!" Read on.
Homeschooling: A Flexible Approach Can Help Your Child Learn
by Mary Hudzinski
Mary has been homeschooling her children for about 16 years. Learning to read had been easy for her oldest children but not for Andrew. Mary discusses how homeschooling Andrew helped him learn despite some obstacles.
Yesterday's Child
by Janie Bowman
As you read about YESTERDAY's child, you will probably wonder how he could have survived and how he could have contributed to society in a positive way. Read this article to find out.
What Should I or My Child Say When?
Have you ever wondered how to talk about a person with disabilities in a way that respects that person and their abilities? Have you ever wondered how to answer your child's questions about someone in a wheel chair or with some physical difference? Then this collection of articles and comments is the place for you. Read what some authors and parents have to say.
How Can Homeschool Support Groups Embrace Special Needs Homeschoolers?
by Kelli Klein
"Special needs homeschoolers are very diverse. Special needs are not always visible or obvious. Children who are delayed, average, or gifted may have special needs. Our request to you is that mercy and grace are extended in love to all special needs homeschoolers, with conditions ranging from mild to severe. The following suggestions are guidelines and ideas."
Reaching For Excellence In Homeschooling Our Children With Down Syndrome
Compiled by Amy Dunaway
Children with Down syndrome have a specific learning profile, confirmed by research, which can make overcoming obstacles to learning easier. Children with Down syndrome are capable learners and take great joy in learning. Teaching academics and life skills at home, with individualized attention to your child's specific needs, will give your child a rich educational experience. This article includes information about IEP's and a detailed resource listing.
Parents Recommend Resources
Parents tell us what resources helped them as they homeschooled their child with special needs. If you have resources to share please email your favorites to SpecialNeeds@NHEN.org
Helpful Websites
Many websites are available to help other parents homeschooling children with special needs. Some of these websites offer more general help, while others are specific to the situation, disorder, or diagnosis. Clicking the links below will take you to the lists of websites that volunteers have compiled. A brief synopsis has been provided. If you are aware of other websites that would be helpful resources, please contact SpecialNeeds@nhen.org
Special Needs in General
ADD/ADHD
Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Down Syndrome
Gifted
Communicative Disorders
Vision Disorders
Learning Differences
Helpful Email Lists
Many people find that they prefer to ask questions and/or build comraderie on email lists. NHEN volunteers have found email lists that encompass the following special needs areas. Clicking the links below will take you to a brief synopsis of each list. The synopsis is written by the list owner not NHEN.
Special Needs in general
Autistic Spectrum Disorders, including Aspergers
Attentional or Behavioral Differences, including ADD/ADHD
Vision Disorders , including Blindness
Communicative Disorders, including deafness, hard-of-hearing, and language-impaired
Gifted
Learning Differences
Down Syndrome
Message Boards
NHEN volunteers have combed the internet to find links directly to message boards focusing only on special needs topics. Here is a list of message boards currently available to you online. You will want to bookmark these various message boards - if you post a question there, you'll want to be sure to check back to see the responses that other parents give!
Additional Reading
This Special Needs Booklist includes a wide variety of topics. Books about ADD, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Down Syndrome, and Special Needs in general are listed. Additionally, you'll find books about reading and learning disorders, dyslexia, speech and vision problems, sensory integration, gifted children, multiple intelligences and alternative therapies are listed.
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