How to Homeschool a Child With Cerebral Palsy

Reading with child

Choosing to homeschool a child with Cerebral Palsy is a big commitment for a parent to make. However, when you begin to see the progress your child is making with your individual instruction you will realize that your time is being invested wisely. With homeschool, you are able to customize your child's education to fit around therapy schedules and to fit your child's individual learning style. Ultimately, that will reduce frustration levels for both of you, making your child happier, and improving your relationship.

Things You'll Need

• Mouth stick
• Learning software
• Books
• Tape recorder
• IEP (Optional and requires homeschool registration with district)

Instructions

1. Write a letter to your child's school, informing them that your child will be attending homeschool beginning on a specific date. This will prevent the school from sending letters of truancy to you.

2. Register your homeschool with the state (forms are available through the school district offices) if you intend to continue special services outlined in your child's IEP. Children who are homeschooled are entitled to special services that they have qualified for such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. If your child does not have a current IEP (Individual Education Plan), you may request one. Note, HSLDA does not recommend registering your homeschool with the district; however, it is a requirement to continue services for special needs.

3. Order a computer-based homeschool curriculum covering required learning areas including reading, writing, arithmetic, history and geography. Children with Cerebral Palsy may have difficulty with fine motor skills necessary for writing in books so a computer, preferably a laptop, is required. Computer-based curriculum will allow the child to use finger pokes or a mouth stick to complete assignments. A laptop will allow your child to work away from home, from a wheelchair, or from bed to accommodate periodic stiffness and special needs.

4. Purchase a tape recorder or voice software for your child's computer. Allow your child to make voice recordings for required essays and reports.

5. Enroll your child in extra-curricular activities such as 4-H, youth groups, scouts, area homeschool groups, or foreign language clubs. This will help meet your child's socialization needs.

6. Keep manual or computer-based records of attendance, grades, and classes taken each year. Extra-curricular activities may fill a class credit such as physical education, art, or foreign language.

Tips & Warnings

• Your public school district must allow your child to take tests such as ACT, PSAT, SAT, MEAP at grade level as long as you arrange in advance of test dates. Your homeschool child may participate in band, vocational training, and other extra-curricular activities as long as you provide transportation. Check with your district. Timberdoodle offers a variety of learning resources for special needs children including hands-on learning. Alpha Omega Publications offers Switched-on Schoolhouse software to meet educational requirements with computer-based learning.

• Join HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense) to avoid being harassed by school officials when you pull your child out to homeschool. Link provided in Resource Section of this article. While you may request your child's school file in your letter of withdrawal from public school, be aware that schools rarely release these records to homeschools.

References

• Homeschool Resources for the Learning Disabled (LD) Child
• Homeschool Central Special Needs Links
• Homeschool Legal Defense

Resources

• Homeschooling the Special Child
• NATHHAN National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network
• A to Z Home's Cool Homeschooling