Unlocking Potential: Non-Traditional Teaching Methods for Students with Severe Learning Challenges

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In today's episode, "Unlocking Potential: Non-Traditional Teaching Methods for Students with Severe Learning Challenges," we delve into the world of homeschooling children with intellectual disabilities who are often relegated to a perpetual elementary school experience. From addressing specific struggles in teaching a child with intellectual disabilities and adapting curriculum to understanding learning behaviors and incorporating life skills, this conversation will provide practical insights and tips for unlocking your child's full potential. Stay tuned as our guest and Empowering Homeschool Conversations co-host, Stephanie Buckwalter, uncovers ways to navigate the complexities of homeschooling children with severe learning challenges and to empower them to thrive beyond traditional expectations.

Stephanie Buckwalter is a curriculum developer and the creator of the ELARP™ Method of homeschooling for students who are two or more years behind grade level in several core subjects, or simply stuck in perpetual kindergarten. She believes that the first step to homeschooling a special needs child is to assume intelligence. Once you realize there is more going on intellectually than your child can express, it opens up a whole new world of learning. Her family of five children has done homeschool, private school and public school (including the IEP process). In addition to homeschooling for over 18 years, Stephanie has taught classes locally and online, and helped start a robotics club, a classical education co-op and a special needs homeschool co-op. Her heart is to use her unique experience to help others experience success teaching their unique learners.

Use this link that Stephanie created for parenting homeschooling students with Intellectual Disabilities: https://www.spedhomeschool.com/groups/students-with-severe-learning-challenges

Connect with Stephanie and the resources she mentioned in this broadcast:

ELARP Learning: https://elarplearning.com/

Art of Special Needs Parenting: https://artofspecialneedsparenting.com/

3 Circles of Purpose printable (link: https://artofspecialneedsparenting.com/3-circles-of-purpose/)

Teaching a Special Needs Child at Home and at School - Judith Munday

Family Math - Stenmark, Thompson and Cossey

Skills Evaluation for the Homeschool - Rebecca Avery, The Weaver Curriculum

What Your Child Needs to Know When, An Evaluation Checklist for Grades K-8 - Rogin Scarlata

Home Learning Year by Year - Rebecca Rupp

 

Special Needs Expo, Shelby, NC, June 28-29 https://iaj-ministries.ticketleap.com/t/SPEDHOMESCHOOL/

 

To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit:

https://annieyorty.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve

https://elarplearning.com/

https://solimaracademy.com/

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Writing an IEP: Accommodations and Modifications
By Amy Vickrey, MSE Once you've completed the preparatory steps and crafted your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, the next step is to consider the tools necessary for your child to attain those goals. This is where accommodations and modifications play a crucial role.  Accommodations Accommodations are straightforward tools designed to assist your child in working at their level without altering the curriculum. Here are some examples: Time: Providing extra time, an additional day, or breaking up tasks into smaller chunks over several days. Alternative Scheduling: Offering extended deadlines for projects or allowing flexibility in scheduling, provided all tasks are completed. Change of Setting: Providing a quiet workspace for assignments or tests, whether it's outdoors, on a beanbag, or at an easel. Change of Presentation: Altering the method of presenting material, such as using videos, hands-on activities, or specific computer applications. Varying Response Method: Allowing different ways of providing answers, such as orally, while in motion, or through interactive games. Cues and Supports: Providing visual aids like schedules, planners, checklists, grading rubrics, multiplication charts, calculators, or communication boards/apps. (Note: Some states may classify certain items, like calculators or communication boards/apps, as assistive technology.) Modifications Modifications involve adjusting the curriculum to suit the student's needs, often by simplifying or adapting the material: Presentation of Material: Utilizing special education materials or curriculums, such as Simply Classical. Adapted Materials: Simplifying content and vocabulary, reducing the number of vocabulary words introduced, and using leveled or simplified texts, especially in subjects like science or social studies. Grading and Testing Altered: Selectively assessing crucial parts of a lesson instead of the entire content, thus focusing on essential concepts for the learner's understanding. (For strategies on grading, refer to this article.) Considerations Here are some additional factors to consider when selecting accommodations and modifications: Plan to Document: Incorporate documentation of accommodations and modifications into your daily routine by consistently noting what tools are used. Critical Review: Assess the necessity of accommodations and modifications for your child to achieve their goals and reach their potential. Testing Considerations: If testing is required, either voluntarily or mandated by state regulations, ensure awareness of permissible accommodations or modifications aligned with your child's grade level. With careful consideration and implementation of accommodations and modifications, you can support your child's educational journey effectively.