God’s Strength is Perfect in Weakness

Once I heard a Pastor say to the church, “You are perfect for the call that God has for your life.” He went on to explain how he has seen the benefit of his perceived shortcomings and how God used them as a blessing.  I believe this is true for all of us, including our children with special needs. Our weaknesses are made on purpose for the purpose God has for each one of us. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) Apostle Paul says about Jesus, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

When we feel like we cannot teach a child with learning challenges, be encouraged to know our God created us all perfectly for a unique purpose. The Lord is more than capable, and He can show us the way. Paul says, ”Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6, NIV).

When we grow weary during the school year, it’s comforting to remember we can bring all concerns to God, trusting in Him to supply all our needs. Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Lean on the Lord this new school year, knowing He can sustain you on the homeschool journey! Here are some practical suggestions to live out this calling.

Family Mission Statement

Write a mission statement for your family. Think long term. What fruit do you hope to see at the end of your child’s education? Are they going to college, trade school, or working in the family business? Why do you choose homeschool? Do you want to pass down your faith and values to your children? The mission statement is helpful to have as a visual reminder to look at throughout the year to keep you focused on the end goal, especially when you need to make important decisions about your schedule and which extracurricular classes to take. 

Curriculum with Accommodations or Modifications

You don’t need to buy the most expensive curriculum! Look for sales online to find one that fits your teaching style. Curriculum tailored to a specific learning disability is an option. If your child is making small but steady progress through a curriculum,

use the same one for more than one year. Continue to review concepts he or she is

struggling with, perhaps trying different approaches until your child demonstrates mastery. Don’t feel pressure to move on if he or she is not ready.

There are simple accommodations and modifications that can be made to a curriculum or your learning environment. (More on accommodations and modifications will follow later.) On the other hand, if your child is a fast learner, feel free to speed up and go to the next grade level. Privately homeschooling gives you more time and flexibility to go at your child’s pace. There are simple accommodations to use at home to support your child’s learning.

An accommodation is a change to the learning environment that helps a student access grade-level curriculum or material. Examples include reducing visual or audio distractions, allowing extra time for assignments or tests, and giving oral rather than written directions.

Modifications are changes to the material. For example, this can include lowering the grade level text, shortening reading assignments, and changing the grading scale. The difference is that modifications adjust the grade level expectations, while accommodations do not.

Record Keeping & Student Education Plan (SEP)

In California, record keeping is required starting when a child turns six as of September 1 of that school year. There are no extra requirements or documents needed for students who have special needs.

The state of California does not require an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) when you privately homeschool with a Private School Affidavit (PSA) or a Private School Satellite Program (PSP). An IEP document is written by school personnel for a school setting, which is no longer applicable. An SEP is a document similar to an IEP used by public schools but is not a legal document. It’s a comprehensive document that you can customize, and it may include records of present levels of performance, assessment results, and a student’s goals for the year. Again, it is not a legal document but can be kept for your personal records to plan your child’s school year and track their progress. It can be revised at any time during the year.

Here is a great article and an SEP template for members of HSLDA (and remember CHEA members get a discount on Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) membership).

Support from Therapists

When you decide to privately homeschool your child, you can still receive services from a team of therapists such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. There are a few alternative ways to find therapists without public school funds.

●      Contact local universities with students who are working towards their license to become a therapist and are willing to provide free therapy to fulfill their hours for classes under the supervision of a licensed therapist.

●      Check the CHEA Special Needs Resources page.

●      Ask your pediatrician for referrals to local therapists or assessments for a diagnosis. 

●      Search online for private practices in your area that accept your insurance.

Resources & Consultations

Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV) reminds us, ”Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Do you need more help for your child’s specific learning challenges?

●      Talk with CHEA’s Home Education Consultant and check out the resources on the website, including audio recordings from great speakers. We are here to pray with you and offer advice, personalized resources, and tips for your child with special needs.

●      Request a consultation. If you are a CHEA Homeschool Defender or Warrior member, you receive up to two 30-minute consultations per year with our Special Education Consultant.

●      In addition, CHEA members have access to other resources on the website like articles and webinars in the Digital Library. Log in to the website and explore. 

My hope and prayer is that you are encouraged to follow the call to homeschool and begin the school year with confidence knowing the Lord is with you!

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Melisa is CHEA’s Special Needs Consultant. She and her husband homeschool their son. Her previous work experience is in special education. Melisa holds a clear credential as an Education Specialist and a Master of Science in Special Education in mild to moderate disabilities. She is blessed to serve the special needs of the homeschool community!