Home School Special Education Programs

Significance

Parents of children who are hearing or vision impaired, physically challenged or have Attention Deficit Disorder have the same options for home schooling that all parents have. No longer do they have to educate themselves to develop their own curriculum and fund it on their own. There are many books written on special education of persons with every type of need and also interactive online training courses for the prospective teacher. There also exist many organizations that fund home school special education programs. Many can be found on the Internet. Start by searching on Education.com for funding sources in your state. However, better reference sources are the local school system, as well as the state and federal Department of Education offices.

When considering this type of home schooling, another excellent place to look for help with special education programs is the U.S. Government Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). The link to this organization is provided in the Resources section. This Agency was formed to improve the future of both young and older people with disabilities. OSERS provides supports to educators, both home and school based, for the special education of persons of all ages. This support takes the form of granting funds to special education in the school system and to home based individual programs. The agency also devotes significant resources to research on how best to guide individuals with disabilities so that they keep abreast of their contemporaries scholastically and in the workforce. The OSERS identifies and develops jobs for those who are disabled so that they can function independently as adults whenever possible. Another aspect of this agency's involvement is the early diagnosis of disabilities and subsequent identification of the specific needs of the child. In short, OSERS provides resources and aid at every level of life for a person with special needs.

OSERS also indirectly funds many programs that offer technical assistance to parents of children with special needs. It is a good reference resource to obtain the names of other reliable programs from which to obtain aid, both monetary and in terms of providing training. It also functions as a resource network that can recommend individuals in the local educational community who can provide advice, training, and, even more important, interaction with other special education providers who can exchange successful techniques and forewarn against pitfalls alike. This agency has committed itself to providing resources to aid each person with a disability to fulfill their individual potential to lead a happy and productive life and to integrate into the workforce and society.

The National Association for Child Development (NACD) is a good organization that offers programs for special ed students and providers (link provided below). Home schooling families have used NACD as a turning point for children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, and many other debilitating conditions. They help home schoolers meet state requirements, as well as help families develop specific plans for teaching a child with disabilities. Another benefit of NACD is that they offer home schooling parents knowledgeable support staff who can answer questions pertaining to special education.

Home schooling a child with special needs requires commitment and dedication. It is hard at times to even know if what you are teaching your child is getting through to him. Make use of the many excellent resources and programs that are available to you to help make your home schooling journey more successful.