Special Needs Children FAQ
1. Can I homeschool my special needs child?
Yes, you may homeschool your special needs child. If your child has been identified by the public school as a special needs child, you are required to indicate this on your CPI form. If you want to receive special services for your child through the public school or AEA, you will need to get permission from the director of special education at your local AEA.
The director has 30 days to render a decision. However, you not required to seek approval from the AEA to provide competent private instruction for your child if you do not consent to initial evaluation or to reevaluation of the child for receipt of special education services or programs.
If you are having trouble with your school district because you are homeschooling a special needs child,
we recommend that you contact HSLDA. They have much experience dealing with this issue and can be very helpful.
2. Can I refuse the special education services of the school district?
Yes, you can refuse special education services from your school district.
The rules state:
"Pursuant to 34 CFR Section 300.300, the parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian of a child with a disability is not required to seek approval from the area education agency to provide competent private instruction for the child if the parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian does not consent to initial evaluation or to reevaluation of the child for receipt of special education services or programs...
The director of special education shall advise the parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian of a child requiring special education of the probable consequences of placing the child under private instruction and withdrawing the child from specialized instruction and services to which the child is entitled. The director of special education may require the parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian of a child requiring special education to accept full responsibility for the parent's, guardian's or legal custodian's decision to reject special education programs and services, forgoing a later request for compensatory education for the period of time when the child was under private instruction." (Chapter 31.10)
3. What resources are available to parents homeschooling a special needs child?
Home educating children with special needs is gaining in popularity. As this continues, you will see much more support and resources available to you. Below we have listed organizations that may be helpful to you. Some of the resources listed are Christian and some are secular. Please use discernment before using any of the listed resources.
NATHHAN - National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network
Home School Legal Defense Association
Homeschooling Children With Special Needs - A website with references to other resources
Linguisystems - Resources for help with speech and learning
Woodbine House - Resources on teaching children with disabilities
Almaden Valley Christian School - a Service for Families Home Schooling Children with Special Needs
A recommended reading list for those considering home educating a child with special needs includes:
Home Schooling Children With Special Needs by Sharon Hensley
Slow and Steady Get Me Ready by June Oberlander
The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder,
Revised Edition by Carol Stock Kranowitz
The Source for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia (Spiral-bound)
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