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Homeschooling

Homeschooling Options for Students with Cerebral Palsy 

A third option for parents of children with cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy or other types of birth injuries is homeschooling. According to the U.S. Department of Education, more than 1.5 million students were homeschooled in the United States in 2007, a 36 percent increase over 2003.

Homeschooling isn’t for everyone, however the decision to home school requires tremendous patience, determination, and commitment. For parents of children with cerebral palsy and other birth injuries, deciding whether or not to home school can be even more challenging.

Homeschooling is Your Right

A parent’s right to home school a special needs child is guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. However, most states have compulsory attendance laws that govern homeschooling, and these laws may be stricter for families that home school children with special needs. Because school officials and teachers sometimes discourage parents from homeschooling a child with special needs, it’s important to learn everything you can about your constitutional rights to home school your child. Visit the Home School Legal Defense Association for information regarding your right to home school your child.

Is Homeschooling a Good Fit for My Special Needs Child?  

Following are some actions you can take to help you decide whether homeschooling is right for your child with cerebral palsy.

• Read as much as you can about home schooling and your child's specific educational needs, and familiarize yourself with the laws regarding homeschooling in your state and school district. Click here for more information about homeschooling in your state.
• Identify home school support groups, umbrella schools, and consulting services in your area. Talk to others who have homeschooled children with special needs, and ask questions about what has worked – and what hasn’t worked – for them.
• Find out what services are available through your local public schools; establish and maintain a positive relationship with school officials. If your state allows it, consider whether dual enrollment (in public school and home school) is right for your child.  Get the contact information for your state’s Department of Education.

Ensuring Your Child’s Homeschooling Success 

Once you’ve decided to home school your special needs child, here are two essential steps you can take to ensure his success:

• Schedule regular evaluations and document your child’s progress. Keep complete and accurate records of how you are meeting your child’s special needs and how your child is progressing. This information will be key in determining your ability to defend against legal challenges regarding your homeschooling, should such challenges arise.
   
• Obtain assistance in meeting your child’s special needs. Counselors, educational consultants, therapists, support groups and more are available to help you and your child succeed. Don’t hesitate to obtain outside assistance when you need it, particularly if your child:

• Has been enrolled in special education services in the current school year
• Has been enrolled in special education services for the next school year
• Has been diagnosed as having a special learning need
• Is functioning significantly below his or her grade level
• Has a physical disability that has a significant negative impact on his or her learning ability
• Has learning problems that have been observed but not professionally diagnosed.

Visit the Home School Learning Network for helpful information on home school curriculum, national home school associations, and home school associations in your state.

Explore all your options. Learn about public school options for disabled students as well.