Homeschooling a Child with Learning Differences

In many ways, I fit inside the box of traditional education. Able to sit still well: check. High auditory comprehension: check. Able to understand and follow written and unwritten rules willingly: check. High reading comprehension: check. Able to learn quietly: check. Traditional public school, in general, was great for me. Teachers liked me, I was a high achiever, and I truly enjoyed learning in general. I was the kind of kid who was upset if I got sick and couldn't go to school. Ya, that kid.

I believe that public school is our government's most effective program to date. I believe it can and has uplifted lives and enhanced the general well-being of society. For example, public education reduced illiteracy and prevented disease in ways that just weren't done before public education existed. It has always had glaring problems, but if I think about public education from a bird's eye historical view, I believe the benefits have well outweighed the negatives.

However, not everyone fits into the box of traditional education. My education, training, and professional experiences illuminated just how common it is to NOT fit. Autism, ADHD, reading disabilities, writing disabilities, listening disabilities, math disabilities...the list goes on and on of children who will likely struggle in the traditional learning environment.

Before I go any further, let me be clear. ALL children should be allowed to learn in a traditional and public/private school environment and SHOULD be supported with accommodations and interventions if they have an identified disability. Teachers in public schools SHOULD be provided the tools they need to do their job well: good pay, good supplies, smaller classes, a supportive administration, and an adequate number of support staff such as counselors and school psychologists.

The sad truth, however, is that the level of help in schools for many kids in many areas of the country is NOT meeting kids' needs. The sad truth also is that teachers are generally NOT supported in their role by receiving the tools they truly need to do their job in such a way as to adequately support these children.

These things need changing, and we should all advocate for these changes. However, what happens if you are parenting a child who doesn't fit into a box AND your local school doesn't have the resources to give the child the education s/he needs? Should you begin to fight the system? Maybe that is the right path for you and I applaud your commitment and perseverance. However, another possible choice that might be right for your child right now is homeschooling.

I will have more blogs later to address HOW in the world to homeschool kids with learning differences. Right now, though, I want to put it out there that, in certain situations, homeschooling may be the best thing for some of those children to thrive. It can be done. It CAN give a child a more optimal learning environment to help them thrive. In some situations, homeschooling can be less stressful than sending a child to traditional schools.

So, if you are in this situation...take heart. Homeschooling could be possible, and it could be a beautiful solution you never saw coming.