In today’s world, the demand for homeschooling has grown tremendously with parents wanting their children to receive a top notch education with their own personalised experiences. This has necessitated homeschoolers to become familiar with different approaches when it comes to providing education, both to typical and special needs learners.
Homeschooling a child who has a learning disability can however be a daunting task as there is great emphasis on addressing the special needs of the child and offering appropriate guidance. This article aims to provide insight on how to appropriately homeschool a child with learning disabilities.
1: How do you Identify a Learning Disability?
The diagnosis of learning disabilities begins with determining whether the child is struggling in any of the academic areas. A teacher or the parent may observe any difficulties in the child such as difficulty in keeping up with classmates, falling behind in a certain subject, difficulty in understanding written information, struggles with spelling or writing, difficulty in understanding new concepts, difficulty in solving problems and avoiding tasks like completing classwork or homework.
The presence of these symptoms or any signs of change in the child’s behaviour should be taken as signs of a possible learning disability. The parent, teacher or school psychologist should identify the underlying cause of the disability in order to determine the best approach in providing education.
2: What are the Different Types of Learning Disabilities?
There are various types of learning disabilities, depending on which academic subject area the child is having difficulty in. The most common learning disabilities are Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Auditory Processing Disorder and Nonverbal Learning Disorders. Dyslexia is a learning disability that impairs a person’s ability to read and interpret words, numbers and symbols correctly.
Dyscalculia is a disability which affects the ability to learn mathematical concepts, think abstractly and reason. Dysgraphia impairs the ability to write and express knowledge in written form.
Auditory Processing Disorder is a disability which affects the way in which sound is interpreted by the brain and can have an effect on language development. Nonverbal Learning Disorders affect the ability to interpret nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions.
3: How to Homeschool a Child with a Learning Disability?
Homeschooling a child with a learning disability requires planning and dedication. The aim of homeschooling should be to bridge the gaps in learning that the child may have while also encouraging the child to continue learning. It is important to remember that just because the child has a learning disability, it does not mean that the goals of the homeschooling program should be lowered.
The key to homeschooling a child with a learning disability is to provide a learning environment that meets their individual needs. The first step is to determine the child’s learning style.
It is important to understand the way in which the child learns best and implement the relevant methods and strategies. This can involve trial and error in order to identify which strategies work best for the child.
Providing the child with a structured and predictable routine can also be helpful in ensuring that they stay on track and remain focused. It is also crucial to adjust the course content and teaching methods to the child’s needs. This can be done by reducing course content and making sure that the material is presented in a manner that is easier for the child to comprehend.
This may involve breaking down large concepts into smaller sections, introducing concepts in a visual way, breaking lessons into shorter blocks of time, and providing the child with an appropriate level of challenge. For tasks with which the child struggles, consider providing help from a tutor or a mentor. A tutor can provide the child with one-on-one instruction on the topic in order to ensure that the child is equipped with the necessary skills for the task.
Additionally, a mentor can provide emotional support and help the child stay motivated in their studies. The importance of making learning enjoyable should also never be discounted.
It is important to make sure that the child is learning, but providing appropriate breaks, engaging the child in activities in which they are interested and providing incentives for learning can be helpful in making sure that the child is not overwhelmed or overburdened.
Conclusion
Homeschooling a child with learning disabilities requires a lot of dedication, patience and personalised instruction. It is important to remember that the goal is not necessarily to lower the expectations of learning, but rather to provide individualised instruction in order to help the child acquire the necessary skills. Identifying the underlying cause of the disability, understanding the child’s learning needs, breaking down large concepts into smaller chunks, and providing appropriate support and motivation are all necessary steps when it comes to homeschooling a child with learning disabilities.