HOMESCHOOLING SPECIAL NEEDS
Homeschooling special needs students can be an excellent option to provide for children's unique education needs.
Many resources and services are available to meet special learning challenges, and the one-on-one environment is ideal for students with learning struggles
Parents choose whether or not they will use the special services offered through the public school or Area Education Agency (AEA).
Using Public School and AEA Special Education Services
If you want to use public school or Area Education Agency (AEA) services for your child with special education needs, you must dual enroll your child in the public school.
This will require the use of one of the Competent Private Instruction (CPI) legal options that require the filing of a CPI form.
Independently Providing for Your Child's Special Education Needs
Parents of a homeschooled child with special needs are not required to seek assistance or approval from the local school district or area education agency.
If you use a homeschooling option that does not require reporting, you do not need to report special education needs to your school district.
Even if you will be using a homeschooling option that does require reporting, you are not required to use public school or AEA special education services.
If your child has been receiving such services but you no longer want them, simply notify the school.
Special Needs Advisors
are available to
all current HOMESCHOOL IOWA Members
Click on the button below to submit your inquiry to our Special Needs Advisors.
Please note that our Advisors are happy to assist you with your questions about homeschooling special needs children, but they are not able to provide diagnostic advice, design IEPs, or offer legal advice.
“Every child is a gift.
They just unwrap their packages at different times.”
~Unknown
HELP with School District CHALLENGES
If we are able, Homeschool Iowa will assist you in dealing with your school district on special needs homeschooling issues. We also recommend that you contact HSLDA. They have expert experience dealing with legal issues related to homeschooling special needs students and can be very helpful.
ADDITIONAL Resources
Home education is increasingly recognized as a highly effective means of providing focused instruction and training for children with special education needs. Below we have listed organizations that may be helpful. Some of the included resources are Christian and some are secular. Investigate and use discernment as to whether these resources are useful to your particular situation.
Website offering educational and nutritional counseling designed to dramatically improve your child’s learning and behavior.
Targeted website section devoted to special needs homeschooling. Included are resources for a wide variety of special education needs.
Publisher of a special needs collection, including resources on autism, ADHD, Down's Syndrome, and more.
Provider of quality information and resources to equip families homeschooling children with special needs.
A fee-based program based on one-on-one training to build cognitive skills required for learning
Local learning center clinics providing individualized, and often one-on-one tutoring
Recommended Reading List for Those Considering Home Educating a Child with Special Needs:
- Home Schooling Children With Special Needs by Sharon Hensley
- Slow and Steady Get Me Ready by June Oberlander
- Homeschooling the Challenging Child: A Practical Guide by Christine M. Field
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