Customizing Your Homeschool Curriculum For Special Needs Students

More than 3 million children [DM1] in the United States are now homeschooled, according to a national home education research institute. An advocacy group citesalmost 40% of these students have special needs [DM2] .

For many parents, making the move to homeschooling for their special needs child makes sense — public schools may not have the time, resources, and staff required to effectively meet student needs and set them up for success.

Choosing to homeschool, however, comes with the need for a curriculum that helps special needs kids succeed. Here are five ways to create a customized, child-focused curriculum.

Common Homeschool Challenges

In a traditional school setting, tasks are spread out among multiple staff members. In a homeschool setting, however, everything falls on your shoulders. A quick look at the job opportunities on the websites of independent school search firms makes this abundantly clear — schools are looking for experts in everything from administration to inclusion to biology, chemistry, environmental science, and language arts. Incorporating online high school electives can be a game-changer, offering specialized courses in subjects that may be outside your expertise and helping to enrich the educational experience for your child.

This leads to the most important piece of advice when creating a homeschool curriculum for special needs students — don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s no easy task, and you’re doing the work of teachers, administrators, and educational assistants simultaneously.

Five Ways to Create a Customized Curriculum

Building a customized curriculum can both improve student success and help you gain confidence as a homeschool educator. Here are five ways to get started.

1) Prioritize personal progress

Progress looks different for every child. Depending on their needs, their strengths, and the resources you have available, progress can range from big moves forward to small steps in the right direction.

As a result, prioritizing personal progress is the first step in creating a customized education plan. While resources from your state’s education department are useful to ensure your curriculum aligns with current expectations, think of these resources as a guide rather than an expectation.

By creating a curriculum that sets up your child for success, you can start moving in the right direction and build a best-fit school experience over time.

2) Modify materials

Educational materials have evolved and offer a great way to customize your child’s learning journey.

For example, instead of using chapter books, try graphic novels for kids who engage visually. Instead of lecturing, try flashcards, diagrams, or videos for children who benefit from a more multisensory experience.

For students who need a more streamlined sensory environment, consider the use of physical devices that let them stim or fidget to improve concentration.

3) Try technology

Technology can also help enable curriculum success.

Mobile and computer-based learning applications can help provide more direct support for developing skills such as math, reading, or memory. Audiobooks deliver the same content as written materials but allow kids to listen and learn at their own pace.

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs), meanwhile, have fostered the development of adaptable speech-to-text tools that allow children with physical challenges to talk rather than write.

4) Collaborate with consultants

Trained professionals can help you create the best curriculum for your child.

Educational consultants offer one-on-one support with a comprehensive assessment of your student’s learning needs, challenges, and opportunities for success. They can work with you to select materials and technologies that deliver consistent results.

Therapists, meanwhile, offer a way to better understand the emotional impact of school on special needs children and address specific occupational challenges. For example, a child psychologist can help kids explore how they feel about schoolwork, about learning, and about their homeschool experience.

Occupational therapists, meanwhile, can help kids navigate fine motor and sensory motor challenges to help reduce frustration and enhance progress.

5) Check in with your child

Your curriculum is built with the best interests of your child in mind. What works on paper, however, doesn’t always work in practice.

Best bet? Regularly check in with your child. Ask them what they think about school, what they like, what they dislike, and what would help them do better. While it may not be possible to implement all of their suggestions, understanding their experience gives you the first-hand information you need to build a customized, child-first curriculum.

Homeschooling offers unique advantages for special needs students. One of the biggest benefits is the chance to build a customized curriculum that aligns with student strengths and helps them see sustained educational success.

Author bio:Jessica Moore is the Digital Marketing Director at Graduation Alliance, the parent company of The American Academy. With more than 18 years of experience, she focuses on providing pathways to high school graduation for youth and adults, fostering college and career exploration, and connecting job creators to skilled and ready workers.

SOURCES

[DM1]https://www.nheri.org/research-facts-on-homeschooling/

[DM2]https://www.nseai.org/homeschooling

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Sara

Author/Speaker/Consultant at Heart and Soul Homeschooling

Sara is a homeschool mom to 3 creative girls. She holds a degree in Social Work specializing in early childhood development, which led to her interest in individualized educational options like homeschooling. She believes that learning should be a lifelong adventure, not just a checklist to get through. She is a writer, avid reader, introvert (INFJ), and dreamer of dreams.