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Homeschooling has experienced growth in recent years, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 3.1 million students are homeschooled in the United States by 2022, according to the National Home Education Research Institute.
Online homeschooling for special needs students is an educational choice providing a safe and adaptable online program. Online homeschooling provides the opportunity to create customized curriculum, adjust pacing, and integrate therapies.
Why Choose Online Homeschooling?
The top reason for homeschooling is a concern about a safe school environment (25% of parents) and 7.3% of parents reported homeschooling because of special needs, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) statistics.
Parents choose online homeschooling for special needs students for several reasons:
- Online homeschooling provides the opportunity for students to learn at their own pace and for parents to adjust programs for their child. This is important for students who take more time to process the information or students who take more breaks
- Online homeschooling offers students with special needs accommodations such as speech-to-text technology, visual aids, and interactive learning tools. It helps students with disabilities succeed
- Online homeschooling reduces student’s sensory overload. Home environments provide a calming, supportive setting for students with sensory sensitivities
Top 7 Online Homeschooling Programs for Special Needs
We will explore the top seven online homeschooling programs designed to meet the diverse challenges of special needs students.
Legacy Online School
Legacy Online School provides individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with special needs and allows them to study self-paced.
Our school has certificated special education teachers helping to create personalized learning paths for students with disabilities. Inclusion is at the heart of our community at Legacy Online School. We are committed to creating a welcoming, respectful, collaborative environment where every student feels valued and heard.
Our virtual classrooms promote active participation and ensure each student feels a sense of belonging. Legacy Online School program is an ideal choice for students needing personalized approach and quality education. Learn more at Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
K12
K12 provides IEPs and personalized lesson plans for students with special needs.
K12’s curriculum is designed to offer flexibility and support. K12 provides adaptive technologies and learning resources to help special needs students succeed. K12 offers support for students struggling with mental health problems. K12 is committed to helping students navigate their mental well-being in school and beyond. Learn more at Students’ Mental Health in School.
Time4Learning
Time4Learning offers a self-paced learning structure allowing students to focus on subjects at their own speed. Interactive curriculum keeps students engaged and offers a variety of visual and audio aids. Time4Learning provides detailed reports to help parents track progress and adjust learning plans as needed.
Time4Learning offers a full support for parents of special needs students providing them with information about adjusting the learning process for their child. Learn more at Homeschooling Special Needs Children.
Connections Academy
Connections Academy offers an option to customize lesson plans for students with special needs. Teachers and counselors work closely with parents to ensure all accommodations for students are provided, such as extended time on tests or the use of assistive technology.
Connections Academy provides a program Parents as Learning Partners ensuring parents are fully involved in the process of education.
Bridgeway Academy
Bridgeway Academy is creating personalized education plans for students with a wide range of disabilities.
Students have the opportunity to learn according to their individual needs. Parents collaborate with staff to modify lessons and ensure learning objectives are aligned with the students’ abilities.
Bridgeway Academy offers an online therapy supplement called HOPE as an extra means to support student’s educational path. HOPE provides help for students who are discouraged, at risk, struggling, and those already in special education. Learn more at Help for Learning Disabilities.
Calvert Education
Calvert Education offers a homeschooling curriculum including special education services. Calvert’s program uses a combination of interactive lessons, videos, and assessments to accommodate different learning styles and disabilities. Calvert Education offers educational counselors to help students with disabilities progress academically.
Calvert provides resources for parents to help them integrate materials to the educational process of their child. Learn more at Homeschooling a Child With Learning Disabilities.
Outshool
Outshool is a hub for learning programs providing materials for students with special needs. It can be online classes or individual learning programs focused on different essential skills. Some of the top rated programs are:
- ADHD Warriors, a Workshop for Neurodivergent Learners for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- 1-on-1 tutoring English Language Arts from Miss Lisa, M.Ed for students with learning disabilities
- Let’s Spell, Write and Read! for students with dyslexia
- A Social Skills Club for students with autism
All programs are divided by the learning needs of students ensuring to find the exactly necessary materials. Outshool provides learning experience and extracurricular activities such as art, music and social interaction. These activities are helpful for comprehensive students’ development.
What Else Parents Can Do to Help Children with Special Needs?
Choosing the right program is the key to progress. Parents have the opportunity to boost the progress of their child’s education. Here are several tips for parents on how to do this.
Create Structured Routine
Structured daily routine makes a special needs child feel safe and organized. It creates better focus and involvement in learning for children. Predictable schedules reduce anxiety and children are able to better handle transitions between tasks.
Add Additional Therapy
Integration therapies, such as speech or occupational therapy enhance a child’s cognitive and social-interactive abilities. These therapies provide targeted support complementing the child’s educational curriculum. It helps children overcome specific developmental challenges such as delayed speech development or sensory processing disorders.
Join Online Support Groups
Online support groups are available for parents. These groups allow sharing of experiences, resources, and strategies with other families having children with special needs. These groups help parents obtain emotional support and practical advice on how to deal with the educational strategy for their child.
Conclusion
Online homeschooling offers a flexible and supportive solution for special needs students. Adaptive technologies, personalized learning plans and a focus on student well-being are important factors in choosing the right program. We covered the top seven online homeschooling programs for students with special needs to help parents find the best solution.
