Hey homeschoolers!

Does anyone have any knowledge, insight or resources dedicated to homeschooling a special needs child? The school is not meeting Gabriel's needs right now and Tab is considering homeschooling him but we have NO idea where to start.

he's in first grade and wouldn't be able to pass a test at the end of the school year like a typical peer. He doesn't walk, talk, or even eat solids, let alone being capable of reading or writing. His days consist of therapies (OT, PT, etc) that we can get him at the hospital, the same way we do during the summers. Other than that, the school provides no real cognitive benefits to him and it becoming a real strain that they don't understand Gabriel's needs the way his own mother could, kwim?

We just don't know where to begin.

First thing I would suggest is to check out the State's Department of Education page and see what they require you to do to register as a homeschool. For example, for KS we have to register here:

www.3ksde.org/

Then I would see if there are any homeschool groups in your area. We have Midwest Parent Educators...and for $35 (or was it $45) a year we get monthly newsletters telling of us events that homeschoolers can go to, groups to join (i.e. Cub and Girl Scouts), special educational opportunities, and free admittance to the homeschool curriculum fair.

Start by finding out about local yahoo groups for homeschoolers...go to a few "mother's breakfast" meetings and ask questions!

Good luck! I am homeschooling my 15 and 14 year olds that have ADHD, PDD-NOS (Autism), and a few other diagnoses...but they are learning SO MUCH here in this environment!

Good advice there from Sharon Kay. I don't know any specifics of HS'ing special needs children. My daughter is 8 and we started homeschooling last year.
You might find more info here somewhere. Awesome organization www.hslda.org It's Christian based, so not sure if that's what you're looking for, but they always seem to be up to date with state laws and things of that nature. Good luck!