Navigating Homeschooling with Special Needs Children During the Pandemic

The global pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for families, particularly those with special needs children. As parents and educators alike adapt to homeschooling, the struggles and successes have come to light. In this article, I share my experience as a mother of a special needs child, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned during the pandemic.

The Early Struggles

When schools first closed due to the pandemic, the change was overwhelming for my daughter. Despite her knowledge of the work, she often found it challenging to complete tasks independently. Days would pass with her questioning how she could do this, particularly when it came to assignments she had mastered in the past. Her need for long breaks and the time it took to complete simple assignments were significant obstacles.

Reopening Schools and Hybrid Models

In August, schools reopened with a hybrid model, with Wednesdays being dedicated to remote learning for students from preschool through twelfth grade. This change brought its own set of challenges. Although there were struggles on some Wednesdays, my daughter had a remarkable performance on the last remote Wednesday. She completed all her assignments before her afternoon class meeting and only needed about 10-15 minutes for the final assignment. This improvement showed that, with consistency and support, we can overcome these challenges.

Lessons Learned

In my journey as a homeschooling parent, homeschooling has proven to be a significant blessing. The local co-op I joined has been instrumental in ensuring that my child's needs are met. However, the pandemic has introduced new challenges, such as online co-op classes and the transition from in-person choir to virtual sessions. My daughter has expressed her attachment to her friends at the co-op and the stress caused by these changes has affected her ability to focus and handle certain challenges.

While the general access to academics has not been compromised, some activities, like laboratory work, have had to be modified. English and Latin classes have continued without issues, but forensic science faced difficulties as students watched pre-recorded lab sessions instead of conducting their own experiments. This experience has taught me about the incredible support provided by my daughter's co-op and the importance of extracurricular activities like 4-H. This summer, my children aged 13-16 discovered Great Courses Plus, engaging in lectures on Roman history and the Foundations of Western Civilization. They spend at least two 30-minute lectures daily, discussing and extending the material, with my daughter often lecturing her younger brother on aspects left out of the lectures.

Conclusion

The pandemic has brought both challenges and opportunities for homeschooling families. While it has been a struggle, the lessons learned and the support from local communities have been invaluable. The innovations in e-learning and technology will likely play a bigger role in education post-pandemic. It is crucial that these advancements do not leave educationally disadvantaged children behind. As we move forward, the experiences and lessons from homeschooling during the pandemic will continue to shape our approach to education.