Article by Charmaine de Wet, edited: Annerine Wenhold
Taking on the role of your child’s educator is a big step, especially when your child has learning differences. As a parent homeschooling a child with unique educational needs, you have the incredible opportunity to create a learning experience that’s truly personalized. By understanding their specific challenges and strengths, you can provide the right support that helps them thrive academically and emotionally.
For many parents, finding the perfect curriculum can feel like an uphill battle. But don’t worry—whether you create a fully customized curriculum from scratch or adapt an existing one, there are plenty of strategies to make learning successful. Understanding how to make adjustments—through accommodations, modifications, or a mix of both—can help you tailor your child’s educational journey. Let’s dive into the different methods and strategies you can use to ensure your homeschooling approach works for your child.
Kairos Academy SA: Where Every Child Thrives
At Kairos Academy SA, we are privileged to assist families with students with learning differences. Our mission is to foster a supporting environment, recognizing that each child’s educational needs are distinct. To help them reach their full potential, we recommend that you prioritize personalized learning for every student, which may involve both accommodations and modifications.
Our students also benefit from a matriculation that is recognized by both SAQA and USAf. We are committed to helping you to ensure that your child reach their fullest potential, no matter the challenges they may encounter.
Accommodations vs. Modifications: What’s the Difference?
When homeschooling a child with learning differences, understanding the difference between accommodations and modifications is crucial. Both strategies aim to provide support, but they differ in how they adjust the learning process:
- Accommodations are changes that help a child access the curriculum without altering the expectations. For example, giving extra time on tests, allowing the use of audiobooks, or offering a quiet space for work are all accommodations. These changes help the child engage in learning without changing the core material.
- Modifications, on the other hand, alter the curriculum to meet a child’s specific needs. This might include reducing the complexity of assignments, focusing on a smaller set of skills, or teaching life skills instead of traditional academic subjects. Modifications ensure that the child’s individual capabilities are considered in the educational process.
Being clear about when to use accommodations or modifications can help you make more informed decisions that will best support your child’s learning.
Types of Learning Differences and How to Adapt Your Homeschooling Approach
Before jumping into strategies, it’s important to clarify the distinction between a learning disorder and a learning disability:
- Learning disorders involve challenges in processing, understanding, or responding to information. This can affect behavior, focus, or sensory processing.
- Learning disabilities specifically affect skills like reading, writing, or math. These children may struggle with academic tasks despite having average or above-average intelligence.
Understanding your child’s specific learning differences is essential in crafting the right educational plan. Below are some common learning differences, along with tailored homeschooling strategies to support your child.
1. Learning Disorders
These can impact how a child processes information, interacts with others, or manages emotions. Homeschooling provides the flexibility to adapt lessons in creative ways. Let’s look at some common learning disorders and how to adjust your homeschooling approach.
1.1 Anxiety Disorders
Children with anxiety disorders may feel overwhelmed by tasks and find it hard to focus. They might freeze up when faced with something that causes them stress.
Selected Homeschooling Strategies:
- Accommodations: Offer flexible deadlines, allow oral instead of written responses, and provide frequent breaks.
- Modifications: Focus on core concepts and simplify assignments, prioritizing mastery of fewer subjects.
1.2 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Children with ADHD may struggle with staying still or focusing for extended periods of time.
Selected Homeschooling Strategies:
- Accommodations: Break lessons into smaller tasks, use a timer to create focused work intervals, and include movement-based learning activities.
- Modifications: Reduce the complexity of assignments or limit the number of subjects per day.
1.3 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Children with autism may need more structure and prefer predictable routines. They might also benefit from visual aids or have sensitivities to sensory stimuli.
Homeschooling Strategies:
- Accommodations: Use visual schedules and incorporate their special interests into lessons.
- Modifications: Adapt lessons to be more concrete and hands-on, and reduce abstract content.
1.4 Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Children with emotional or behavioral disorders may find it challenging to manage emotions and behavior, affecting their engagement with learning.
Homeschooling Strategies:
- Accommodations: Use positive reinforcement, allow for frequent breaks, and create a structured daily schedule.
- Modifications: Focus on teaching emotional regulation and adjust the academic workload to prioritize well-being.
1.5 Processing Disorders
Children with processing disorders need extra time to absorb and process information. They may struggle with tasks that involve multiple steps.
Selected Homeschooling Strategies:
- Accommodations: Break instructions into smaller chunks and use multisensory teaching methods.
- Modifications: Simplify tasks to fewer steps, focusing on clear, concrete instructions.
2. Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are specific challenges that impact reading, writing, and math. By recognizing the nature of these disabilities, you can make appropriate adjustments to your homeschooling curriculum.
2.1 Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia affects a child’s ability to understand numbers and math concepts.
Selected Homeschooling Strategies:
- Accommodations: Use visual aids, manipulatives, and calculators.
- Modifications: Focus on real-life applications, like budgeting or cooking, rather than traditional math concepts.
2.2 Dyslexia
Children with dyslexia often have trouble reading, writing, and spelling.
Selected Homeschooling Strategies:
- Accommodations: Offer audiobooks, allow oral responses, and use phonics-based programs.
- Modifications: Simplify reading materials and emphasize comprehension over fluency.
2.3 Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia impacts handwriting and organizing thoughts on paper.
Homeschooling Strategies:
- Accommodations: Use voice-to-text or typing tools, and offer oral presentations instead of written assignments.
- Modifications: Focus on verbal communication skills and reduce the length of writing tasks.
2.4 Intellectual Disability
Children with intellectual disabilities may need more time to learn and may struggle with generalizing skills to different situations.
Selected Homeschooling Strategies:
- Accommodations: Provide consistent repetition and break tasks into manageable steps.
- Modifications: Focus on functional life skills alongside academic goals to encourage independence.
2.5 Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD)
Children with NVLD may have difficulty with social skills and physical coordination.
Selected Homeschooling Strategies:
- Accommodations: Provide step-by-step instructions and use visuals to support learning.
- Modifications: Focus on building social skills and reduce tasks requiring motor coordination.
3. Giftedness
Gifted students often require adjustments to help them reach their full potential. They may excel in certain areas but need an approach that challenges them appropriately.
Selected Homeschooling Strategies:
- Allow for deeper exploration of specific topics, incorporate hands-on discovery, and emphasize progress rather than perfection.
Learning Challenges and the Law
The BELA Act No. 32 of 2024 supports homeschooling families by allowing modifications and accommodations to meet the needs of children with learning differences. According to the Act, “special education needs” refer to adaptations in teaching methods to help children with various challenges meet their learning objectives. You have the right to tailor your child’s education to best suit their abilities and needs.
Disclaimer: The legal information provided here is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice.
Wrapping It All Up
Homeschooling a child with learning differences isn’t just about academics. It’s about empowering your child to thrive, no matter their challenges. It may take time, patience, and creativity, but the rewards are immeasurable. By fostering a supportive learning environment, you’re helping your child build not only academic skills but also confidence and resilience.
You are not alone in this journey. Many resources, support groups, and professionals are here to guide and support you. You’ve got this!
Further Supporting Resources
- Accommodations versus Modifications | Home Life Academy, unpacks the differences.
- Giftedness | Home Life Academy, provides an overview of this often overlooked and underappreciated learning difference.
- Further supporting articles with more strategies:
- Understood, a leading non-profit supporting children with learning and thinking differences.
- EduExcellence, offers online CAPS-based courses with accommodations for learning challenges.
- Saving Grace Educational Group, an online support for children with learning differences. Their Special Needs Curriculum is tailored to homeschooling.
Kairos Academy SA 