As a homeschooling parent, one of your greatest joys is tailoring your child's education to fit their unique needs, strengths, and interests. But what happens when traditional approaches don't seem to be enough? This is where accommodations come in: simple learning adjustments that can make a world of difference in your child's academic journey.
Understanding accommodations
Accommodations are changes in the way information is presented or how a student demonstrates what they know. Accommodations don’t alter the curriculum or lower academic expectations.
Here’s an example of how accommodations change how—not what—a child learns:
Meet Lexi. Lexi is a very bright 12-year-old taking a history survey course in a local homeschool co-op class. She was diagnosed with a visual impairment as a young child, so she struggles to see printed material in typical 12-point font.
The class instructor and Lexi’s mom work together to provide several accommodations to support Lexi: larger-font printed materials; a slant board to reduce eye, neck, and wrist strain for better focus; and a seat positioned under the best lighting in the classroom. With these adjustments, Lexi can learn alongside her peers without her vision challenges interfering.
Notice that none of the accommodations made the class easier for Lexi. Instead, they removed barriers that interfered with Lexi’s access to the content, allowing her to fully participate and meet the same learning goals as her peers.
How accommodations support diverse learners
By taking advantage of homeschooling’s incredible flexibility, a family can weave accommodations right into their daily rhythm, making learning smoother and more enjoyable for both their child with special needs and the entire family. Here are some exciting ways accommodations can help unique learners thrive:
- Personalized learning—By closely observing a child's unique learning preferences and challenges, and then implementing accommodations specifically tailored to their needs, parents can create a truly individualized educational experience.
- Reduced anxiety and frustration—Taking a closer look at a child’s learning journey and clearing away the obstacles that cause anxiety and frustration can shift their energy toward understanding the material itself—unlocking a whole new level of focus and joy in learning!
- Increased confidence—When learners are given the tools and support they need to thrive, their confidence soars. They become more engaged and develop a brighter, more positive attitude toward learning.
- Encouragement of independence—Empowering students to speak up for their needs can help them gain the confidence to recognize when and how to use accommodations, paving the way for greater independence and self-advocacy.
How do I know what accommodations my child needs?
The good news: you as the parent get to decide if your homeschooled child needs accommodations and what accommodations they need. It may be as exciting as it is challenging to decide what accommodations are right for your child and fit best within their learning routine.
If your child has received a formal disability diagnosis, you may have been given some recommended accommodations to try. That’s a great place to start! (And if your child struggles with learning but you aren’t sure why yet, you can discover more with our parent checklists and suggested resources here.)
Choosing accommodations does not have to be overwhelming. Start by observing where your child struggles most and consider whether an accommodation could help. Don’t be afraid to try different approaches. And remember—what works for one child might not work for another, and that’s okay.
- Identify the need!
- Research your options!
- Experiment and adjust!
- Engage your child!
- Document and reflect!
We’ve got guidance on how to select accommodations that best fit a child’s unique needs and learning preferences. Check out these ideas in part 2!