Often the biggest hurdle in starting to homeschool a special needs student is finding the best curriculum. Flexible, multi-sensory, and adaptable elements to pre-packaged curriculum are best for teaching students with learning difficulties.
Keep These 7 Things in Mind When Choosing Special Needs Curriculum
- The five basic subjects required for all homeschooled students in Texas are reading, writing, grammar, math, and good citizenship.
- Focus on finding curriculum for the basic required subjects first.
- Pick a curriculum that fits the needs of your student, your teaching style, and the logistics of your home school environment.
- A child who expresses interest in using computers or handheld devices does not always equate to a child who will succeed well with a computer or app-based curriculum.
- Teaching subjects at your student’s cognitive level will greatly improve comprehension.
- Many curriculum providers offer a free trial period to evaluate your student’s starting level for each subject and the overall fit of the curriculum to your schooling.
- Good citizenship is not rigidly defined as a subject nor are there many curriculum products written specifically for this category. Electives like government, social studies, social skills, therapy, and volunteering opportunities are often used to meet this subject requirement.
The list below represents a handful of personal favorites. For a more comprehensive list of special needs curriculum recommended by other Texas special needs home schooling parents, visit the special needs section of THSC.org.
Reading
- All About Reading (K-6)
- Reading Assistant from Scientific Learning (K-12)
- Mind Play Virtual Reading Coach (K-12)
- Logic of English (K-12)
- Sing, Spell, Read and Write (PreK – 2)
- Real Reading (K-12)
Writing
- Handwriting without Tears (PreK – 5)
- Write Shop (K-12)
- Sing, Spell, Read and Write (PreK – 2)
- Read and Write Gold (5 – 12)
- Editor in Chief (2 – 12)
Grammar
- Analytical Grammar (4 – 12)
- Sing, Spell, Read and Write (PreK – 2)
- Logic of English (K-12)
- Get Smart Grammar (5 – 12)
- Language Smarts (1 – 4)
Math
- Math-U-See (PreK – 12)
- Right Start Math (PreK – 12)
- Help Math (3 – 8)
- Discover Geometry (High School)
- Khan Academy (K-12)
Good Citizenship
- Money Quest Financial Fluency Products (K – 12)
- Steps to Independence, Everyday Skills (K – 12)
- World History Detective Curriculum (6 – 12)
- “What Would You Do?” Curriculum (2 – 12)
- SPEECHercise (K – 12)
Full Curriculum Package Options:
(covers all the 5 basic subjects in one package)
- Easy Peasy All In One Homeschool (K – 12)
- Discovery K12 (Not the public school option, K – 12)
- Memoria Press (Prek – 9)
- Time4Learning (K – 12)
- Konos (K – 8)
- My Father’s World (K – 8)
- Heart of Dakota (K – 12)
Membership Has Its Benefits!
All THSC members have access to the THSC Special Needs department for unlimited consultations, which include help in picking out curriculum that will best fit the needs of your child and your home school! Find out more on how your family can benefit from a THSC membership.
Peggy Ployhar, THSC Lead Writer and SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO
Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO, is a leader in the special education homeschooling community and a frequent writer and speaker on specialized education homeschooling issues.