What Is Considered Special Needs?
A question on a homeschool survey asked, “Does your child have special needs?” One parent answered, “Yes. All of my children are special and they all have needs.” Since this is a true answer, what is it we mean when we talk about educational special needs?
Read a dozen different books, a dozen different websites, and ask a dozen experts and you may get as many answers. Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) uses the following definition:
a child who is working two or more years behind grade level in the majority of his subjects
a child who has been receiving special education services
a child with any other disability that seriously affects the ability to learn
Many people think of “special needs” as the same as learning disabilities, and many of these learning differences require special teaching methods. “Special needs,” in fact, encompasses more than learning difficulties. A child with physical disabilities or medical difficulties may also need special learning techniques. Some homeschoolers place gifted and talented children in the special needs category because they learn differently than traditional methods allow for. It is a broad range of needs, and a parent’s calling is to help children learn and fulfill their God-given mission.
Hundreds of families are successfully teaching their own children who have special needs. These special challenges are better handled in the loving environment of home.
Whether you are removing your child from a traditional school or intending to homeschool from the beginning, there are resources and supports available to you. Let’s look at some of the steps to get started.
Doing Things The Right Way
A first step for beginning homeschooling with a special needs or struggling learner is to contact HSLDA to ascertain specific legal rights.* Children with learning differences may only have weaknesses in an area or two and are not considered special needs according to HSLDA’s definition. HSLDA recommends that families who are working with a special needs child work with a local consultant for two reasons:
- To have an outside party document that this child is making progress each year, in case this progress is questioned by family members or school personnel;
- To have someone give parents ideas about how to work with their special needs or struggling learner.
However it is important to note that these are recommendations only, not requirements.
A second step would be to read Sharon Hensley’s book Home Schooling Children with Special Needs. The updated third edition, available from CHEA, does much to reassure, affirm, and educate parents. Sharon has dual credentials; a mom with a special need child and a credentialed special needs teacher. The book begins with definitions, to provide an understanding of the terminology involved in special education.
The next section brings out the tears, as it requires us to recognize the grief involved in raising a special child, but it also builds confidence that in trusting God, He will see us through. The final section of the book deals with teaching and materials. The value of the book lies with the heart of the author as it touches the heart of the parent with compassion, while her knowledge provides support for tackling the job of homeschooling.
The third step is to formally withdraw your child from the previous public or private school. Sample letters are available in An Introduction to Home Education from CHEA, but basically you state that your child will not be attending after a certain date. Include your child’s name, grade, and birth date in the letter.
A separate letter stating your intent to discontinue your individual education plan (IEP), should you have one, is also required. This letter will simply say,
Effective upon receipt of this letter, I/we are withdrawing student name, grade, birth date from the IEP in place. He/she will be receiving private services.
The less you say in explanation, the better. This letter is sent in the name of the parent who signed the IEP.
An Introduction To Home Education
The next step is to decide whether to file an affidavit or enroll in a private school satellite program (PSP). There are PSPs that specialize in special needs families, but any PSP with a compassionate, strongly supportive leader will be effective. If you are filing an affidavit you may want to find a support system or consultant as suggested above. Various homeschool groups are listed in CHEA’s Homeschool Directory
Finally, create a student education plan (SEP) in which you write out your goals for your child. Don’t let this term scare you. It is similar to a course of study, which all students have. Depending on the degree of impairment, this will vary from need to need. Then collect the materials you need to implement the SEP and begin. Remember to seek the Lord’s guidance as you think through your goals.
*CHEA recommends that all homeschoolers join HSLDA. You can receive a discount on HSLDA membership by first becoming a CHEA Member.
What Is Considered Special Needs?
A question on a homeschool survey asked, “Does your child have special needs?” One parent answered, “Yes. All of my children are special and they all have needs.” Since this is a true answer, what is it we mean when we talk about educational special needs?
Read a dozen different books, a dozen different websites, and ask a dozen experts and you may get as many answers. Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) uses the following definition:
a child who is working two or more years behind grade level in the majority of his subjects
a child who has been receiving special education services
a child with any other disability that seriously affects the ability to learn
Many people think of “special needs” as the same as learning disabilities, and many of these learning differences require special teaching methods. “Special needs,” in fact, encompasses more than learning difficulties. A child with physical disabilities or medical difficulties may also need special learning techniques. Some homeschoolers place gifted and talented children in the special needs category because they learn differently than traditional methods allow for. It is a broad range of needs, and a parent’s calling is to help children learn and fulfill their God-given mission.
Hundreds of families are successfully teaching their own children who have special needs. These special challenges are better handled in the loving environment of home.
Whether you are removing your child from a traditional school or intending to homeschool from the beginning, there are resources and supports available to you. Let’s look at some of the steps to get started.
Doing Things The Right Way
A first step for beginning homeschooling with a special needs or struggling learner is to contact HSLDA to ascertain specific legal rights.* Children with learning differences may only have weaknesses in an area or two and are not considered special needs according to HSLDA’s definition. HSLDA recommends that families who are working with a special needs child work with a local consultant for two reasons:
- To have an outside party document that this child is making progress each year, in case this progress is questioned by family members or school personnel;
- To have someone give parents ideas about how to work with their special needs or struggling learner.
However it is important to note that these are recommendations only, not requirements.
A second step would be to read Sharon Hensley’s book Home Schooling Children with Special Needs. The updated third edition, available from CHEA, does much to reassure, affirm, and educate parents. Sharon has dual credentials; a mom with a special need child and a credentialed special needs teacher. The book begins with definitions, to provide an understanding of the terminology involved in special education.
The next section brings out the tears, as it requires us to recognize the grief involved in raising a special child, but it also builds confidence that in trusting God, He will see us through. The final section of the book deals with teaching and materials. The value of the book lies with the heart of the author as it touches the heart of the parent with compassion, while her knowledge provides support for tackling the job of homeschooling.
The third step is to formally withdraw your child from the previous public or private school. Sample letters are available in An Introduction to Home Education from CHEA, but basically you state that your child will not be attending after a certain date. Include your child’s name, grade, and birth date in the letter.
A separate letter stating your intent to discontinue your individual education plan (IEP), should you have one, is also required. This letter will simply say,
Effective upon receipt of this letter, I/we are withdrawing student name, grade, birth date from the IEP in place. He/she will be receiving private services.
The less you say in explanation, the better. This letter is sent in the name of the parent who signed the IEP.
An Introduction To Home Education
The next step is to decide whether to file an affidavit or enroll in a private school satellite program (PSP). There are PSPs that specialize in special needs families, but any PSP with a compassionate, strongly supportive leader will be effective. If you are filing an affidavit you may want to find a support system or consultant as suggested above. Various homeschool groups are listed in CHEA’s Homeschool Directory
Finally, create a student education plan (SEP) in which you write out your goals for your child. Don’t let this term scare you. It is similar to a course of study, which all students have. Depending on the degree of impairment, this will vary from need to need. Then collect the materials you need to implement the SEP and begin. Remember to seek the Lord’s guidance as you think through your goals.
*CHEA recommends that all homeschoolers join HSLDA. You can receive a discount on HSLDA membership by first becoming a CHEA Member.
Become A Chea Member
CHEA is the only California state organization that advocates for and promotes private Christian home education 24/7, year round.
CHEA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and all contributions are tax deductible.