Homeschooling has become increasingly popular in recent years. The flexible schedule, individualized curriculum choices, and individual attention for each child are appealing to many families.

When I began homeschooling, I did not know anyone who was homeschooling a child with special learning needs. Over the years I have had the privilege of meeting many individuals who have decided to educate their children at home, including those whose children learn differently than most. They are some of the most dedicated people I know. Many of them have children who struggled to learn in school settings and have benefited from the increased attention and emotional security that home schooling can provide. Others have educated their children at home from the beginning of their schooling, and have set about finding the resources that will best help them to meet their children’s needs.

Homeschooling has been a challenge and a journey for my family. We are still on our way, but we have experienced blessings we otherwise would have missed. Two of my children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, yet they are succeeding in their academic work and have a healthy perspective about themselves. My third child has learned to appreciate the benefits of working at her own pace. We have all learned to appreciate one another’s talents and unique qualities.

Homeschooling is especially beneficial to those with learning differences. When there are struggles to master material, the struggle takes place in a family atmosphere of acceptance and understanding. The child can work in his or her preferred learning style since curriculum can be chosen to fit the child’s needs. If more time is needed, the schedule can be adjusted to fit the child’s needs. Likewise, if a child moves quickly through some subjects they can advance rapidly and savor the success.

I have found homeschooling to be a wonderful choice for my children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. At home, I can experiment with variations in seating, lighting, movement, timing, and more until I find a combination that works for each child. Homeschooling allows me the freedom to have my children move around more frequently than most classroom schedules allow. I can accommodate the children’s need to be physically active by incorporating it into their school day. I continually work with them to develop the skills they need now and will need in the future.

When you homeschool your children, you have a great opportunity to invest time and attention in them. Learning throughout the day becomes a way of life. Practical applications and opportunities to learn occur naturally. There are many styles of homeschooling, from video school to unit studies, complete sets of curriculum to an eclectic collection of materials. Regardless of the approach you choose, you get to know your child better and will learn along with them.

There are many resources and materials available to help those who are investigating home schooling as an option for their own families, as well as for those homeschoolers who are looking for new information, hope, and encouragement.

The “Resource Links” section includes informative sites for home schooling and sites for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other learning needs.

http://adhd.kids.tripod.com
Resources for parenting and teaching, ADHD, learning styles

http://www.edhelper.com
Lesson plans, web quests, worksheets, teaching tools galore

http://www.abcteach.com/
Many printable pages for kids, teachers, and parents on a variety of topics.  We've enjoyed this site!

http://www.edupuppy.com/
Resources for early childhood education through 2nd grade; information on special education, homeschooling, and much more.

http://www.eduhound.com/
Resources for K-12, including links to homeschooling and special education sites.

http://gomilpitas.com/homeschooling/
Articles about homeschooling, lots of links for teachers and kids, homeschooling books, resources for ADHD homeschooling.

http://www.waymarks.com/homeschool/
Information on how to homeschool, finding curriculum, learning styles, ADD/ADHD, gifted kids, vendors list, links for lesson plans.

http://homeschoolinformation.com/
Christian homeschooling and educational resources, worksheets, Homeschool links, many articles.

http://members.aol.com/ggallag958/default.html/
Resources for elementary educators and parents, shareware, clipart, worksheets, and educational links.

http://www.familyeducation.com/
Information on Learning Disabled (LD) and ADD/ADHD, homeschooling, gifted and talented kids, online reference materials and much more.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/home.html
Educational web sites and games for young learners, simple to use and fun.

http://www.add.org/
Web site of the National Attention Deficit Disorder Association, with special focus on young adults and adults with ADD, also information for parents of ADD children.

http://www.ADHDNews.com
Articles pertaining to ADHD, parenting information, legal issues, free newsletter, e-mail discussion groups (including homeschooling ADD/ADHD), and resources for adults with ADHD, lists of alternative treatments.

http://www.focusonadd.com/
Overview of ADD/ADHD, tips for parenting, types of treatments, discussion of some medications, information on helping with social skills.

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8259/index.html
Information on homeschooling, special needs section, links for software and other curriculum.

http://www.speechdelay.com/
Excellent source for information on speech and language delays and disorders, developmental information, practical tips on helping skills develop, links for more resources.

http://come-over.to/homeschool/
Lists recommended books on homeschooling and has a section on special needs children.

http://www.christianlearning.org
Materials for teachers, homeschoolers, and parents, lists of free resources for many education areas. We liked the links for music and piano!

http://www.christianadhd.com/
Resources for Christian educators, homeschoolers, many links for ADHD topics including medication, diagnostic criteria, co-existing conditions, alternative treatments, and much more.

http://www.kidslovepublications.com/
Great ideas on learning through family travels and field trips, with specific information on destinations in the Midwest, Great Lakes, Eastern Regions, and more.

http://home.earthlink.net/~tammyglaser798/authome.html
Wonderful site for families homeschooling autistic children, informative and thorough, includes links for sensory needs, learning styles, and more.

http://rsts.net/home/index.htm
Resources for homeschooling information, links to products, homeschooling organizations, discount and used curriculum, and on-line resources for special needs children.

www.homeschoolmall.net/mall.html
Links to many products and services for homeschoolers, arranged by category.

www.preciouskids.org/
Unique combination of adoption resources and Christian homeschooling links.

http://eho.org/index.html (The Eclectic Homeschool Online)
Articles, product reviews, topical index, bookstore, support, and legal information by state.

http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/pages/dis.add.html Kids Source Online - Disabilities:  Attention Deficit Disorder information, article and resource links

Disclaimer:  We have attempted to provide links to Web resources that will be informative and useful.  The views expressed at these sites are not necessarily those of Heads Up!