Special Needs and Homeschooling
According to the National Centers for Educational Statistics, homeschooling families find that special needs students perform significantly better with in-home tutoring instruction as compared to the traditional classroom. The study explains that students with learning disabilities account for approximately 16% of the homeschooling population. That equals about 16,000 out of every 100,000 students. This percentage is more than two and half times the number being served in public school, making homeschooling a popular option for special needs students.
Every student is unique in the requirements they need to maximize learning outcomes. We understand that each student learns differently and use this as the basis for our tailored approach to homeschooling.
Students with special needs may have learning delays, behavior challenges, or they may work on a level that is different from their peers.
At Jump Start, home tutoring is one-on-one learning. We understand the challenges facing students with dyslexia, behavior disorders, autism and other learning difficulties face. As such, we assess each student to pinpoint their academic strengths and weaknesses, provide consultations to determine your child’s specific learning style and choose curriculum models most conducive to keep your child engaged ensuring that learning is both fun and effective.
We are able to address each student’s unique academic, physical, social, or emotional challenge and work with them to help students achieve academic success. Jump Start’s in-home and online tutoring consultations allow us to get to know your student in a holistic matter maximizing learning outcomes as we guide families with educational planning all in the comfort of your own home.
TOP BENEFITS FOR HOMESCHOOLING SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS:
- Work at the student’s pace – Homeschool students do not have to keep up with other students in the classroom. They can work at their ideal pace. This allows for extra time to review concepts they find challenging. It can also allow special needs students to work ahead in their areas of strength.
- Customized yearly calendar – As a homeschooler, students have the ability to modify their yearly school calendar. If a student needs extra time on specific lessons or needs more breaks than the average student, that’s okay. Students can take as little or as long as they need. Sometimes students might even need last time to complete a grade level giving them the opportunity to become advanced. Other times, families may prefer to have there student spend a full year, rather than 9 months to complete a grade level, ensuring each child has truly mastered all subject matters before moving on to the next grade.
- One-on-one individualized instruction – Special needs students tend to work much better with one-on-one instruction rather than working with a group of students in a classroom setting. Having our educators as a student’s learning guide, they will be able to explore each lesson with them, answer their questions, and provide immediate feedback on their school work.
- Fewer distractions – A homeschool setting allows us to set up a home classroom that is ideal for students. Keeping distractions to a minimum can be done by setting up a comfortable, quiet space for students to ensure they can focus on school work without distractions typically found in the classroom environment.
- Taking breaks as needed – Students who have special needs, and especially those who are struggling with attention disorders, often need extra breaks during the school day. Working with students using modified daily schedules, allowing additional breaks for physical activity, or small short breaks can help students focus better.
- Alternative instructional approaches – Special needs students often learn best by using alternative learning approaches. If a student is struggling to learn the multiplication table, they should consider learning math facts while being active. If they have difficulty with spelling words, consider having them spell each word out loud. When learning at home, we can identify the learning strategies that work best for special needs students and implement them in a manner that works best for them. This may include math manipulatives, whiteboards, chalkboards, hands-on learning, and multi-sensory learning strategies.
- Unlimited testing time – While students in a traditional school setting may have limitations on the time allotted for testing purposes, students in the homeschooling environment can take as long as they need for tests. Sometimes, this extra time makes all the difference in the quality of the student’s work by reducing test anxiety.
- Special accommodations – A homeschool environment allows students to use accommodations that help them learn or perform best. Students with handwriting issues or dysgraphia can use a keyboard to complete their assignments. Students who struggle with distraction or attention issues can use stress balls or other fidget devices to help them pay attention or even pace around the room while discussing a topic. Students who have sensory issues are often challenging in the school environment, however they can perform much better in a home classroom with dim lighting, soft rugs, comfortable clothing, etc.
- Recalibrates success – The fear and anxiety produced by the pandemic may cause students to regress intellectually or physically. This is normal. Homeschooling allows for creating smaller goals and celebrating the tiniest progress. For instance, a completed spelling or math assignment is a reason to celebrate. In fact, making it through each day is its own accomplishment.
Another beneficial aspect of homeschooling special needs students is learning the value of hard work. Homeschooling provides different life learning opportunities than they might have in a traditional setting. No matter how long it takes to get through each lesson, special needs students are learning more than just the subject being taught. They are learning about dedication, patience, perseverance and triumph.
In summary, homeschooling allows special needs students to learn at their own pace and level. Homeschooling instruction is more relaxed while still being structured and systematic. Homeschooled special needs students can learn a myriad of life lessons and use a combination of fun and hands-on activities. Not only can special needs students read aloud using interactive picture books and flashcards, but they can also listen to many of these books on tape in the comfort of their own home.
Jump Start is committed to finding trending topics and offering you free and effective educational resources. Resources are always a great tool for supplementation and for enhancing your child’s learning strategy.
However, students with special needs may have more challenges as they prepare for college entrance and test preparation. As such, this may be an especially daunting and stressful time in their educational career.
Building important study strategies and organizational skills play a key role in determining grades, and subsequently affecting student’s performance and placement in more advanced classes.
We understand the unique challenges students face when they have special needs. That is why all of our tutors are top-tier college level graduates who score in the top 5% for every subject they tutor, so our students can be confident taking advice from them.
With Jump Start’s tutoring services, finding a friendly and helpful tutor that will work with special needs students one-on-one with a customized approach is easy!
Choosing our homeschooling services provides all students with a blueprint customized to ensure their maximum success in their academics. Our tutors will provide tips and motivation to help students with special needs improve and work on their academic habits.
As previously stated, according to the National Centers for Educational Statistics, homeschooling families find that special needs students perform significantly better with in-home instruction as compared to the traditional classroom. The study explains that students with learning disabilities account for approximately 16% of the homeschooling population. That equals about 16,000 out of every 100,000 students. This percentage is more than two and half times the number being served in public school, making homeschooling a popular option for special needs students.
Students with disabilities can also expect an academic edge by receiving help navigating their courses with a hands-on learning experience in-home or online; as they discover their learning style and prepare for exams in core reading, writing, math, science, history, test prep, study skills and much more!
We focus on creating a plan for students in K-12 and in college to receive the necessary accommodations to score at the top. Additionally, our high school and college students with special needs benefit from our educational consulting services, helping them develop key vocational skills and internships that will help them prepare for a prosperous future outside of the classroom. Our consulting services also include suggestions on class schedule, scholarships and college entrance.
Choosing our online homeschooling service includes interactive whiteboards, screen sharing, document sharing and video tools to make online test prep more personalized and fun.
Give your child the gift of education by signing up for our in home or online tutoring services today!
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