Supplementing the Education of Special Needs Children

by Laurie Childree, Staff Writer

Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved

Whether you special needs child is in home-school or traditional school, there is still a need to supplement their education. This means that you have to get creative when it comes to the curriculum. Your child learns differently, so avoid the cookie cutter.

Personality

Yes, you will take the personality of your child into consideration BEFORE the disability. Personality is how you personalize education.
 

• What are your child's interests?
• How does your child learn?
• What is your child's temperament?

These and several others questions will need answering when it comes to supplementing the education of your special needs child.

How Do They Learn??

Traditional schools will teach all the children the same way unless they have an IEP or 504 plan. Even these do not guarantee that your child is getting the skills they need in life. Supplementing their education is more than reinforcing academics, it is teaching them life skills. You have to treat them as individuals and tailor lessons to the way they learn the best whether from reading, watching instructional videos, writing about it or doing it themselves.

Simple Is Best

You don't want to overwhelm  your child or break the bank so keeping it simple is the best thing to do for both of you, especially in the early stages while you figure out what you are doing. You can supplement education with games, workbooks, printed materials, daily chores and everyday outings. Personalize the lessons to your child, and take advantage of situations that allow you to reinforce what they are learning.