Homeschooling a special needs child

[beafedor]

Hello,
I'm not a homeschooler but I would like to become one. My son is what they call 'a child with special needs' due to deathness that causes a delay in the speech and emotional development.

He now benefits from speech therapy and family training with a person from the local School of the Deaf and Blind. Both therapies are paid for by a State program until age 3 (he will turn 3 in June 2010).

Then I am told that he has to go to public school at age 3 so that he continues the therapy and the public school system will pay for it. Otherwise, if he goes to a christian school or stays at home, the therapy will continue but we will have to pay for it.

My husband and I don't like the idea of putting our son in a public school, especially at such an early age. I would rather homeschool him but I don't know where I can find information about homeschooling a child with special needs and in particular the financial aspect of the therapy they need.

Can anybody help me with that?
Thanks for your help and Peace be with you.

[kooldood]

I'm sorry I'm a student not a mom but I can help to a certain degree...

There are many books on this subject so I recommend you go to a Border's or Barnes and Nobles and look up homeschooling for special needs children.

If you are looking for a homeschooling curriculum which you will probably need sooner rather than later, Seton Home Study School has great academic counselors to help you learn a little more about their curriculum and other stuff like that. You can call them (google it) or chat with them online. They have live chat.

So, as I said, the best thing would be to look for a book... amazon would also be a good place to look. There are several books on the subject. And Seton Home Study is a good, catholic homeschooling program.

[ASojourner]

I home schooled our three children - we're still finishing with our youngest. Number two had special needs, and I admit it was a lot of 'hats' to wear during the years - but well worth it.

Look to see if you have a local CHEA organization (Christian Home Educators Association.) I attended home schooling conferences every year in our area and took every seminar for home schooling special needs children that they offered. They were invaluable, gave me ideas, and let me know that I was not alone. There, I was able to purchase a lot of materials, books, and was given hand outs that I could take home. It got me through some rough years.

Also, there was an organization called, NATHHAN (National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network) that met locally for me. They would be a great resource, as well If you Google them, you will pull up the organization so you can check them out.

Good luck, and may God richly bless the love you pour into your beautiful children.

[beafedor]

Hello,
thank you so much for the answers.
Sorry I haven't followed up with this group lately. My son is in public school now. He receives speech therapy every day and his speech has greatly improved. He is probably going to stay in special ed preschool until he learns enough language for me to home school him. I will certainly look into the support group organizations.

God Bless You all,
Béa