__Due to ongoing health issues, the Special Needs Homeschool site has not been updated. The resources here are timeless and I hope you continue to visit and share! I am hoping to get back here as soon as the dust settles to update and revive SNH. In the meantime, the SNH Facebook page and group are hopping with resources and support.
To visit SNH's Facebook page for links, freebies, blog feeds, or to just share YOUR links, blogs, resources, and help related to special needs or homeschooling, click here: https://www.facebook.com/specialneedshomeschool
When you first decide to look into homeschooling, you do what most people do, you Google it. Only to discover there are thousands and thousands of different ways to homeschool, different ideas, resources, and curriculum. It can be overwhelming! Homeschooling is easier than you think.
Here are some easy steps to follow and some websites that I recommend to help your research seem a little less frightening.
2. Find a support group in your area. The easiest, most efficient way to do this is to visit yahoo groups. Use keywords 'Homeschool' and include the area in which you live. Groups are usually listed this way. HSLDA also will help you find support in your area. Other homeschoolers are a great resource and support!
3. Arm yourself. You will be asked by well meaning family, friends, and the cashier at the store lots of questions! a) What about socialization? If you ask a homeschooler this question, you will get many different answers. We don't do this to confuse you. We do this because we are asked this question so often, we want to shake things up a bit! My favourite answer is, "You are right! My children will not get the same socialization the schools offer and I'm glad!" b) What about testing? This answer will comply with your laws or your personal beliefs. Some places require testing for homeschooling, some don't. Some parents want their children tested, some don't. Your local support group is a great help with this! c) Can I do it? Well, why not? You have been their parent this long! Don't stop now!
4.Deschool. I know you are excited to pull out the desk you bought from that garage sale and the old chalkboard that teacher friend gave you but hold on a minute! You have decided to teach your child yourself because ??? Do you want to recreate the environment you are leaving behind? Deschooling means giving you and your child time to adjust to the idea. Get to know each other again. It's not like going on summer vacation. That is what your child is thinking though! Rule of thumb, a month for every year your child was in school you should take a break!
5. Learn how your child learns. Finding out your child's learning style will go a long way to finding out what to do next.
6. Curriculum-don't panic! There are as many different ways to homeschoolas there are people in the world. There is no wrong way to do it. Not everyone uses curriculum. Find out what works best for you and your child before deciding this and you may save yourself some money.
