Homeschooling the Learning Disabled
A child who appears to have learning disabilities does not have to be dismissed as unabled to learn. This child is simply differently-abled, requiring a different approach to education that conventional schooling may not offer. Here are some resources to help you get started, or to keep you encouraged in your journey. Note that I have no affiliation or ties with the sites mentioned and they are here as reference alone. It is every parent’s responsibility to check all sources and verify all claims.
- dysTalk: Helping your child learn better. Launched in September 2008, dysTalk is an information-sharing social enterprise devised by Will Orr-Ewing and Josh Pull for families with learning needs. dysTalk is separated into online and offline components. Offline, it is a video lecture series featuring top professionals in the learning difficulties world. Online, you get a wealth of resources, useful links, and a forum for parents to pursue ideas and continue their discussions.
- Learning Abled Kids: Learning Abled Kids is a resource and support site designed to provide families with information, curriculum resources, and tools to help you teach your bright child with learning issues at home. You’ll find information about reading disabilities, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), ADD, ADHD, homeschool curriculum recommendations, tools for teaching and learning, and a whole lot more.
- Dyslexia Online: This site is maintained by Dr. Harold Levinson, and is dedicated to resolving the traditional misconceptions of dyslexia and related attention deficit and anxiety disorders.
- The Resource Room:Free-spirited structured multisensory learning Has a site for homeschooling gifted/LDs
- Uniquely Gifted: Resources for Gifted Children with Special Needs(ADD/ADHD, Learning Disabilities (LD), Asperger Syndrome, etc.) Compiled by Meredith G. Warshaw, Special Needs Educational Advisor. This is an incredibly RICH resource list that can be overwhelming for a first time visitor. First time user should visit here for a quick introduction.
- NATHHAN (National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network) Christian Families Homeschooling Special Needs Children. Lots of stuff for educating special needs children, curriculum advice, articles and testimonies, etc.
- Bridgeway Academy: Homeschool programmes and curricula for home education, including specially tailored education programmes for children with learning disabilities. Buy the curriculum outright or sIgn up with the school. They supply internationally.
- The International Dyslexia Association: Non-profit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of the learning disability, dyslexia as well as related language-based learning differences. It is the oldest such organization in the U.S. serving individuals with dyslexia, their families, and professionals in the field.
- Christian Kind: Compassionate Support,Christ-Centered Hope A Christian website supporting adults and children who may have ADHD ADD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety Disorder, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Tourette’s Syndrome, Asperger’s, Autism, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Go through the menu and check out resources for education and guides and how-tos for homeschooling special needs children.
21 Comments so far...
Grace Thiong Says:
27 February 2013 at 1:35 pm.
Hello, I am a special needs teacher who currently running a home school programme for children with learning disabilities. At the moment the centre is home schooling 4 children. I hope to reach more children with such needs. Is it possible for me to reach the parents through homefrontier? Where can I place the information about my service in the homefrontier webpage?
DAVID BC TAN Says:
1 March 2013 at 11:51 am.
Hello Grace, If you wish to reach other families with special needs children, it would be good to go on Facebook. There are a number of homeschooling social networks here and they are as follows:
Homefrontier
Learning Beyond Schooling
Fulltime Homeschoolers Community
Malaysian Homeschooling Network
You can visit these pages and ‘like’ them and then, post your comments or share your services. All the best.
David Tan
Grace Thiong Says:
11 March 2013 at 8:58 am.
Thanks David for your valuable advise. Will give your suggestion a try.
Grace
Rivlyn Lim Says:
24 April 2013 at 1:41 pm.
Dear David,
Is it possible for me to have Grace Thiong’s email adress? I’d like to know more about from her homeschooling program.
Thank you
Goh Soo Teing Says:
4 July 2013 at 4:58 pm.
Hello! I got 1 child is autism. This year my son is 7years old.
Now, I decided start do homeschool to my son.
My sons can learn but need to one to one teach . So I am teacher=mother.
Now, my problem is how I need to choose syllabus to my son ?
Alpha Omega Publications (Lifepac) or IGCSE { two of this is what ? }
Please help me.Thank you very much.
Herma Says:
30 December 2013 at 10:34 am.
Hi Grace, how is it possible to reach you? I would like to inquire about your homeschool.
Herma Says:
30 December 2013 at 11:23 am.
Hi, I am a single mum here and looking for homeschool centre for my son that has slightly shorter attention span than average kids. We are staying in USJ and hoping to find one nearby. Please help. Government school starts next week yet I still could not find any school for him.
Alwyn Too Says:
14 May 2014 at 11:53 pm.
I would like to contact Grace Thiong to know more about her centre for special child home schooling, currently my son is 4 years old and his is Down syndrome. Hope someone could give me her email address or contact number. Thanks in advance…
Wong Says:
3 June 2014 at 1:13 am.
Hi Grace, hope I can reach you, would like to inquire about your homeschool.
Thank You.
Diana Says:
25 September 2014 at 7:12 pm.
Hi,I have a GDD (Global delayed development) 7 years old without any speech. I’m currently sending him to a centre for special needs and home schooling him at home myself. I’m a bit lost on what to do with the MOE as we did not get him any OKU card.is it compulsory to inform MOE ?
DAVID BC TAN Says:
25 September 2014 at 9:12 pm.
According to the Education Act, yes – if you wish to homeschool you have to get an official exemption. Children with learning disabilities or delayed development should get exemptions fairly easily as long as you have relevant documents to verify your child’s condition. Presently, compulsory education in Malaysia is up to Std 6. However, many homeschoolers, whether they have children with delayed development or not, tend to avoid applying for exemptions for various reasons. As far as I know, very very few get the go-ahead. Those who have gone thru the official process will tell you it’s more trouble than it’s worth.
Jill Says:
29 October 2014 at 4:22 pm.
Hi, may I know if there’re any homeschool centers around PJ which accept children with learning disabilities? I am homeschooling my 15 year old son now but would like to put him in a center twice a week more for socializing. I’d appreciate it if you could provide me the name and contact number of centers which accept high functioning special needs children.
Francine Says:
3 June 2015 at 7:02 pm.
Any home school centre to recommend for slow learning kids? Plz email me @ franciney79@yahoo.com
Farah Says:
29 September 2015 at 10:30 am.
Hi
I too am interested in the homeschooling program for my 7 yr old child with autism. Is it possible for grace to pm me.
Thanks
Joanne Says:
29 October 2015 at 9:37 am.
My daughter is slow learner. May I know if there is any homeschool suitable for her? We’re staying in USJ. Thanks.
Fion Says:
13 January 2016 at 6:04 pm.
Hi, my son is 7 yrs old. He is dignosed with dyspraxia + dyslexic. May I know any homeschool at kl or Pj area wch is suitable for him? Tks
Malika Says:
16 May 2016 at 10:46 pm.
Hi,
I am migrating to Malaysia with my 9 year old son that is diagnosed with mild autism. I have checked international schools but he will not cope. I would like information on homeschool centre and any autism therapy they have in punching or close by areas.
My email is maleka_a@hotmail.com
Thank you !
HL Says:
28 May 2016 at 3:22 pm.
I have a slow learning daughter (11 years old). I am considering homeschooling for her. Please let me know any home school at PJ/Damansara area suitable for her. Thank you.
Sharon Says:
5 July 2016 at 7:34 am.
Hi..i ave a special child wth dwn syndrome…looking fr home schooling ..he is just 2 tis year…anywhr in shah alam..
Shaunia Says:
25 November 2016 at 6:35 pm.
Hi I am single mother. My daughter is diagnosed with moderate dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism. I am a part time teacher at a welfare homeschooling. Need assistance to teach full time and help my daughter in her studies around KL area.