Why Homeschooling Was The Best Choice For My Child With ADHD
~ Written by Colleen Kessler from Raising Lifelong Learners
My oldest son graduated from our homeschool last year.
We made the decision to homeschool him under pressure. A traditional school setting was not working out at all and he was soon diagnosed with ADHD.
While making the decision was difficult, looking back, I can see that homeschooling him made all the difference in his education.
Many families are not even sure if you can homeschool a child with ADHD. I am often asked by other parents if it’s legal or if there are additional homeschool requirements for homeschooling a child with ADHD.
While you want to be sure of the legal requirements specific to your state (you would do so re: homeschooling any child, not just one with ADHD) the answer is a resounding yes.
You can homeschool a child with ADHD, in all 50 states.
Not only is it legal, in my opinion, it’s one of the best possible options.
Here’s why.
Why Homeschooling Was The Best Choice For My Child With ADHD
ADHD is a unique brain wiring and in many instances, can actually be an advantage. Homeschooling gives us the flexibility to meet our children exactly where they are, and allow them to learn in ways that make the most sense for their unique differences.
The benefit of homeschooling is that we are able to provide an environment designed to best encourage learning.
Here are just a few of the benefits of taking an individualized educational approach to homeschooling your child with ADHD.
Adding Movement To Learning
Because we are not confined by a desk in a traditional classroom, not only can our wiggly kids move as much as needed, but we can actually add movement to the learning itself.
When my son was learning math facts early on, I decided to place the various math equations on the walls around our house. He would then run from room to room, trying to locate them. Once found, he would solve the math problem and move onto the next.
Because a brain with ADHD needs movement to thrive, our kids often comprehend and retain learning much more effectively when we can add in movement.
Keeping It Novel
Research has shown that the ADHD brain seeks novelty. Doing the same thing, over and over again can be almost physically uncomfortable for a person with ADHD, and absolutely disengages attention.
Homeschooling allows us to change things up, whether it’s how we are learning a particular topic (i.e. video vs. textbook) or where we are learning about it (couch one day, outside on the trampoline the next).
Frequent Breaks
Because sustaining attention is difficult for a child with ADHD, frequent breaks are crucial for overall success in learning. Although these are not part of a standard classroom experience, they are easily incorporated into a homeschool environment.
Research shows that 15 minute lessons followed by a short brain break can be optimal for any child, but especially for a child with ADHD.
Accommodating Transitions
Children with ADHD often struggle with transitioning from one task to another. It’s time to begin school for the day, leave the house for therapy, stop playing video games and come to dinner – all of these transition points in a child’s day can be a struggle (both for them and for you!).
Homeschooling allows us to take more time to transition from one activity to the next and build in flexible start and end times to better meet our children’s needs.
(You’ll find an entire list of the various benefits and accommodations homeschool provides in my post Motivating Your Child With ADHD: 7 Tips For Your Homeschool.)
If you are homeschooling a child with ADHD, or considering it, I want you to know that I think homeschool is one of the best possible educational choices. Not only are you providing a learning environment that makes sense for your child’s needs, your child will also learn confidence and strength as a result of being in a loving and supportive environment.
My homeschool graduate is now a confident learner as he navigates his way into adulthood, despite his differences. He sees his ADHD as somewhat of an advantage. I have no doubt that helping him learn in ways that worked best for his unique abilities made all the difference.
I see homeschooling my child with ADHD as one of the best choices I’ve made for him as his mom and as an educator.
What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your personality type needs most!