Special Needs

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.--Confucius

Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.--Eleanor Roosevelt

This page is about the freedom to be special, unique, one of a kind--who I am.

These stories, commentary & vignettes offer a view into how and why we live life without school.

A few Questions we hope to address:

• What does it mean to have "special needs?"
• Can one homeschool a child with "special needs" and how?
• When do labels serve our children and when do they harm them?
• What does it mean to be "learning disabled?"
• Are all children who are labeled so truly "disabled?"
• Is ADD/ADHD a myth or reality?
• How are ADD/ADHD children best served?
• What do our children need from us?
• Are some "learning disabled" and ADD/ADHD children products of institutionalized education?
• When might a "special needs" child be best served in a school setting?

Stories & Commentary

Posts by Guest Authors

Why We Homeschool, by Jeanette

We did not grieve the day the pediatric neurologist told my husband and I that our son would always be “different.”  I do remember thinking to myself – “Of course he’s going to be different.  He comes from a long line of ‘different’ – and thank goodness for it!”.... 

Why We Homeschool, by Lori

When the first fingers of concern began tightening around my throat,  Keir was already over three years old.  His development had been on target, according to the doctors who'd seen him - except for speech.  Keir simply didn't talk much.   It was Australia, and it was 1987, and no one was terribly concerned.  But that all changed....

The Last Straw, by Homeschool Mom

It was Special Person day in my son’s third grade classroom in our local public school. He excitedly chose me, his mom, as his special person. I was honored to attend. However, honestly, I dreaded going to that school, because I had been so many times for the multiple meetings regarding my son’s “disabilities.” That is to say, he had a writing disability, a processing disorder, and Tourette’s Syndrome. My stomach was in knots each day in anticipation of the next phone call, the next problem, the next crisis. Having thought seriously about homeschooling, we already had one foot out the door. This is what happened next....

Posts by Featured Authors

Understanding the Right-Brained Creative Learner, by Cindy

"She's smart, but lazy."  "He's living below his potential."  These are some of the comments a parent of a right-brained learner may hear about their child in regard to their learning process....

An Interesting Twist, by Cindy

Alex, my fifth child and fourth son, was diagnosed with autism in February, 1997, at just over two years old. At twelve years old today, he would probably be considered high functioning autism....

Twisted, by Missy

A Whole New World, by Cindy

Of course I questioned the course to homeschool Adam when we discovered he was living with and struggling with autism! Why wouldn't I? Hadn't he been born into a loving, enriched unschooling environment of facilitation and nurturing guidance?...

Vignettes

My children have special needs. They have never been to school and never been diagnosed as such, but they do have special needs.

If in school, 6 would not be able to sit for very long without making himself "known." He would not be able to sit still and play nice for the 6-7 hours that would be required of him. He would probably be diagnosed with ADHD and on meds, if I allowed that. He is not ADHD, but I have heard how this has happened many times from other homeschoolers with children who are not really and truly ADHD. 6 can add triple digit numbers in his head-as long as he can spin and move about the room and dispense his energy when he needs, he is just fine!

If in school, 8 would not be able to "focus." She would have trouble following verbal instructions and linear concepts. Despite how smart she is, she would be tracked as "late" and "remedial." See, I know now that 8 is a right brained learner. 8 is an artist and storyteller. She is unbelievably gifted; but in school, she would probably be labeled Learning Disabled and possibly dyslexic. I don't think she is either. I think she is very right brained talented. What a gift to the world. Schools mostly address the left brain children and call the rest of those beautifully gifted souls "disabled."

My children have special needs in my eyes, no matter if and how they would be diagnosed in a school setting. They need to be seen and appreciated as the individuals that they are; and quite honestly, I am still discovering who they are and what they need from me as a parent. I don’t want to infer that certain children and certain people do not require special and different needs addressed by those responsible to them; I just refuse to track my children in a way that diminishes who they are.

~Robin

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Long ago, in that other galaxy far away, when I was teaching children with special needs, I was twisted....