Читать книгу Homeschooling For Dummies - Jennifer Kaufeld - Страница 35

If you have a special needs learner, then you’re already used to the specialist roundup. Physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, resource room teacher, medical specialists — sometimes they become almost like family because you see them so often. With time, you learn the jargon and even some of the solutions.

Getting special needs resources as a homeschooler often depends on the school system you belong to. Some systems provide therapists to homeschooled children as a matter of course; other systems provide the services if you fight for them. Still others deny all homeschool children special needs services even though portions of our taxes pay for those services.

One option when you homeschool is to continue whatever therapy sessions your child previously attended on your own. Although speech therapy functions a little differently, physical and occupational therapists usually work on one goal for an extended period of time. Physical and occupational therapists use exercises specifically designed to reach that goal, whether it’s flexibility, relaxation, or muscle toning. If you know your therapists already, they may feel comfortable working with you on a consulting basis. You work on the exercises during the week or two between consultations, and check in with them to tell them how it’s going. They then redirect your exercise cycle if you need it.

Teaching a special needs learner requires creativity on your part. Whatever the need is, your job as a homeschooler is to present information so your child can understand it. Because this is your child, you’re much more interested in stretching his mind than anyone else would be. And he usually responds better to you than he would to anyone else because he knows that you love him.

Chapter 19 discusses homeschooling students with special needs.