Homeschooling with Special Needsby Marcie Ciampi
My son has special needs. The way I explain special needs to my sons, is the same I will tell you here. Everyone has special needs. In our family someone is afraid of clowns, another suffered with chronic ear infections, one fears death, and a fourth is physically disabled; everyone in our family has a special need, or something that has the potential to pose a challenge. I teach my children that everyone has obstacles in life and no one is perfect. God didn't make humans perfect. If he did, we wouldn't be here. I let my boys know a special need or challenge can open up many doors in life and that they can choose to grow stronger from their circumstances. I also don't believe in hiding a special need, a.k.a. disability, handicap. There is nothing wrong or shameful about being disabled. (Photo of my son Andy)
I teach my children that a strong man admits his weaknesses and asks for help from God and from others. Asking for help is a good quality. I also teach them the gift of serving and helping others. Because of my son's diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, I have been able to help other families. From 2005-2006, I advocated for my son through various organizations. Please see the handout I created and distributed on:
Maximizing the Potential for the Child with Special Needs When taking on the responsibility of homeschooling, we are helping someone, and in the helping we can find much joy. Still, when teaching a child, particularly a child with special needs, you can never be too prepared. Based on my experience and research regarding children with
Nonverbal Learning Disorder
and Asperger's Syndrome, I have identified challenges and/or strategies in different areas. I have listed them below to help you in preparing to homeschool a typical child or a child with particular needs: Sensory If you are new to homeschooling or considering homeschooling, you might find it helpful to review the article on: Home School and Special Needs. You might also find the article: "Homeschooling a Child on the Autistic Spectrum" helpful. Here, I have discussed personal steps you can take when taking on the journey of homeschooling a child on the autistic spectrum or with other challenges. Review the article and also examine the list of special needs' resources (page one) and special needs' resources (page two) to assist you in the homeschool journey. 
Read this strong woman's account of raising a son who is on the autistic spectrum and know you are not alone.
A Mother's Journey with her son with Asperger's
A motivational woman who knows firsthand what it is like to grow up with a disability shares pages of ideas for:
Raising a Child with A DisabilityHaving Asperger's Syndrome or autism, or other needs, doesn't have to close doors; remember challenges can open doors too. Did you know many people with high-functioning autism contribute great things to our society? In fact, there are many famous people with Aspergers Syndrome. I believe God made each person for a special purpose. In helping my son, I still have homeschooling days that are difficult, but even with the trials and frustrations, my triumphs outshine all the hard times. And in homeschooling, as well as in life, I keep striving to learn from my situations and help others. "If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path." (Buddhist saying) "In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." - Albert Schweitzer Homepage Route 66 Language Arts Cafe Why I Homeschool
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