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By Peggy Ployhar When homeschooling a struggling learner, understanding your child’s rate of progress, possible learning deficiencies, or level of mastery in a specific subject can be crucial. The free online assessment tools listed in this article are designed to assist you in these areas, helping you teach your child more effectively and aiding in their learning success. Important Note: These resources are not a substitute for professional advice. Assessments administered by a parent should not be used to diagnose a student but rather as an indicator that your child may need professional assistance as part of their educational plan. At SPED Homeschool, our goal is to help students succeed in parent-directed special education homeschooling. We hope you find these assessment tools helpful. General Assessments: Easy CBM Assessment Tool LD Info Parent Administered Cognitive Processing Inventory National Institute for Direct Instruction Placement Tests shared by Shanel Tarrant-Simone, SPED Homeschool Team Member and owner of Spectrum Parent Consulting K5 Learning Assessments ADDitude Self-Tests (Self-tests for common learning disabilities and psychological issues) Reading Assessments: General: University of Oregon Dynamic Inventory of Basic Early Literacy Skills Orton-Gillingham PDF Free Assessment Test Sonlight Language Arts Assessment Grammar: The Great Grammar Book Test Quill Grammar Diagnostic Test shared by Kathryn Grogg, Grogg Educational Consulting Dyslexia: Davis Dyslexia Screening Assessment shared by Beverly Parrish, Learn Your Way Dynaread Dyslexia Test Learning Success Dyslexia Test Lexercise Dyslexia Test Nessy Dyslexia Test (5-7 years) All About Learning Dyslexia Screening Checklist shared by D.M. Spence, SPED Homeschool Team Member and private homeschooling consultant Reading: Diane Craft Word Recognition Placement Test Dianne Craft Right Brained Reader Placement Test Sonlight Reading Assessment National Institute for Direct Instruction Corrective Reading Tests shared by Shanel Tarrant-Simone, owner of Spectrum Parent Consulting Math Assessments: General: Little Giant Steps Math Facts Assessment Singapore Math Placement Assessments Horizons Math Readiness Evaluations Math Mammoth Placement Assessments shared by Kathryn Grogg, Grogg Educational Consulting Saxon Math Placement Assessment shared by Kathy Kuhl, Learn Differently Dyscalculia: Learning Success Dyscalculia Assessment Exceptional Individuals Dyscalculia Test Various Other Assessments: Auditory Processing: Little Giant Steps Auditory Processing Test Kit Harkla Online Auditory Processing Test Functional/Educational Vision: See Ability Functional Visual Assessment Speech Articulation: Mommy Speech Therapy Articulation Screener Psychological Screening Tools: Healthy Place Psychological Tests ADDitude Self-Tests (Self-tests for common learning disabilities and psychological issues) Handwriting: Learning Without Tears Screener of Handwriting Proficiency shared by D.M. Spence, SPED Homeschool Team Member and private homeschooling consultant Learning Without Tears Pre-K Handwriting Assessment shared by D.M. Spence, SPED Homeschool Team Member and private homeschooling consultant Do you have any other free tools you use to assess your homeschooled struggling learner? We would love to have you share them with us. The more resources we can share with one another, the better equipped our community will be to successfully homeschool each of our unique children. Thanks for being part of our community and for sharing!

Discover a treasure trove of invaluable resources designed to empower parents in providing comprehensive therapy at home for their children. From occupational and speech therapy to vision and sensory exercises, this downloadable toolkit is your go-to guide for nurturing your child's development in the comfort of your own home. Inside, you'll find a diverse array of links that will take you to websites offering activities, worksheets, games, and exercises carefully curated by the SPED Homeschool team. Whether you're seeking innovative ways to enhance fine motor skills, stimulate language development, improve visual perception, or foster sensory integration, this toolkit has you covered. Say goodbye to the frustration of searching endlessly for effective therapy resources. With over 25 carefully selected tools and techniques at your fingertips, you'll have everything you need to create engaging and enriching therapy sessions tailored to your child's unique needs. Empower yourself with the resources and knowledge to support your child's growth and progress every step of the way. Download the Ultimate Home Therapy Toolkit today and embark on a journey of transformative therapy experiences right from the comfort of your home.

Download your free homeschool IEP fillable Word template and guide with clickable resource links (see bottom of article for links). Here also are some additional resources that will help you fill out each section of your student's IEP: Here are a couple of articles to help you start figuring out your child’s present levels: https://spedhomeschool.com/discovering-present-levels-to-create-iep-and-sep-goals/ - A real-life example of how to think about present levels. https://spedhomeschool.com/4-things-to-prepare-before-writing-your-childs-iep/ - More ideas on how to figure out your child’s present levels. You may also need a little help understanding all the acronyms used in the special needs world. Here is a list to help you be “in the know.” https://spedhomeschool.com/popular-special-needs-homeschooling-acronyms/ It is important that you complete the present levels to the best of your ability. Think of it like your child running a race. Present levels are the starting line and the end of the school year is the finish line. All you need to do is pick a place to start. The fillable Homeschool IEP document gives you several areas to look at where your child may need additional support to function in school: transition (to adulthood after high school) behavior communication language learner physical needs assistive technology therapy integrations Once you have determined your child's needs, then you see which academic subjects are affected. You may find that your child only needs a few accommodations or adaptions in one or two subject areas. With a global delay, you may find all subject areas are affected and that is okay. Here are some articles to help you think about how you might be able to help your child: https://spedhomeschool.com/pulling-together-your-iep-understanding-accommodations/ - Fourteen ways to accommodate your child https://spedhomeschool.com/writing-an-iep-accommodations-and-modifications/ - A great explanation of the difference between accommodations and modifications with examples of each. Next up: writing goals. Are you ready for the main event? All the work you've done to this point is to gather background information you need to create realistic, helpful goals for your child's education. Take your time with this step and write them well. The key thing about goals is they need to be measurable. If you can't measure it, you can't track progress. The SPED Homeschool website has several articles on writing goals. Here is a sampling: https://spedhomeschool.com/how-to-write-iep-goals-and-objectives/ https://spedhomeschool.com/4-steps-to-writing-fail-proof-behavior-goals-for-your-iep-plus-bonus-tips-for-success/ https://spedhomeschool.com/embracing-your-childs-new-goals/ DON'T MISS THIS: How to Write a Homeschool IEP/SEP An interview with Judi Munday. Judi is a wealth of information on this topic and has supported the homeschool community for decades. You will find all kind of nuggets of helpful information in this interview. One more thing. If feel you need help writing goals, especially the first time, SPED Homeschool has connections with several consultants who can help you develop good, solid goals for your child. Just email our office at [email protected] and we will send you a list. Can you see the finish line yet? Writing an IEP/SEP is a big task the first time around. After that, it gets much easier. One thing that makes it easier is consistent goal tracking throughout the year. If things are going smoothly, you can track once a quarter, which is every 9 weeks. If your child is not progressing on his or her goals, your tracking will let you know early in the year and you can adjust the goals to something more realistic for your child. A word of advice: don't change things too often. In general, you should give any curriculum or plan you have a good 4-6 weeks. Even if it is not working well, you can identify what works and what doesn't so you know what kind of changes to make. Here are some resources on goal tracking to help you out: https://spedhomeschool.com/how-to-track-iep-goals/ https://spedhomeschool.com/mastering-the-art-of-record-keeping/ Effective IEP Goal Tracking and Gaming Strategies (video) Now you are ready to teach! SPED Homeschool has a wealth of resources to help you do that.  We look forward to continuing this journey with you! The SPED Homeschool Team

By Jan Bedell, PhD, Master Neurodevelopmentalist A common question from homeschool families is, “What curriculum do you have for ______?” Fill in the blank with one of the myriad of labels that are prevalent today – dyslexia, ASD, ADD, ADHD, dysgraphia, all types of syndromes. The answer is that there really isn’t one. WAIT! Before you panic or throw up your hands, let me reassure you that there are solutions to your dilemma, but they are not found in a specific curriculum. To find the answer, you definitely have to think outside the box. As a neurodevelopmentalist for 30 years, I can tell you that each situation is unique. Every child brings their own set of challenges to the situation, and no two are exactly the same. Let me give you a few examples of possible root causes of specific symptoms that need to be considered for the best way forward for the child. Reading Difficulties or Dyslexia If a child has trouble reading or is labeled dyslexic, a few of the root issues may be: Eye Tracking: Difficulty in tracking horizontally and/or vertically. Eye Convergence: Poor eye convergence resulting in an unclear image. Auditory Processing: Low auditory short-term memory, making it challenging to hold phonics pieces together to form words. Central Vision: Underdeveloped central vision causing skipping of words or lines. Memory Storage: The brain not storing learned information correctly, causing inconsistent recall—knowing a word one day and forgetting it the next. ADD/ADHD Symptoms If a child has ADD/ADHD symptoms or labels, a few of the root issues may be: Sensory Hypersensitivity: Over-sensitivity to visual, auditory, or touch stimuli leading to symptoms like distractibility. Metabolic Issues: Chemical imbalances in the body causing poor behavior. Low Auditory Processing: Poor development in this area resulting in: Inability to stay on task Trouble following directions Difficulty seeing cause and effect Forgetting to do chores Immature behavior Struggles with math word problems Slow or no use of phonics Challenges in following conversations Low reading comprehension Preference for playing with younger children Dysgraphia Symptoms If a child has dysgraphia symptoms or labels, a few of the root issues may be: Proprioception: Poor knowledge of body position in space. Immature Neural Pathways: Underdeveloped pathways from the brain to the fingers. Muscle Tone: Low muscle tone causing inefficient hand strength. Central Vision Development: Weak development resulting in: Inability to write on a line Large and small letters mixed together Inconsistent spacing of words Hand fatigue with writing Difficulty staying within lines when coloring These situations are frustrating for parents, teachers, and children. The good news is that the brain possesses an amazing, God-given ability to grow and change with the right kind of stimulation. Each label or symptom within a label has a reason in the wiring of the brain that allows it to exist. More and more often, I see children with multiple labels. This just means that brain inefficiencies are overlapping, causing many symptoms in multiple categories. As stated previously, each child has a unique set of symptoms. There are, however, many combinations of symptoms that we see with different labels. When the root cause is addressed, it brings relief in academic pursuits without the need to change the curriculum. Our job as educators, from the home educator to the professional advising the family, is to look past the current functional ability—HELP MY CHILD CAN’T READ OR DO MATH!—to what may be causing academics to be less than desirable. Your first advice in this search is, “The full answer will not be found in any one curriculum.” Start the WHY Search! Why is the child distracted? Is it too much sensory stimulation? To find out and discover some solutions, visit our YouTube Channel – Brain Coach Tips. Look for: It’s Not That Loud!, Hyper Vision, It’s Just a Sock! Is it low auditory processing? To start your search, watch The New Label on the Block CAPD. There is much more to explore on our channel when looking for root causes. We are also here to help you if you want personal direction. Just set up a free consultation at Brain Sprints. May God richly bless you in your search for how to best help your child! About Jan In 1992, a journey started that transitioned Jan from a desperate homeschool mom of a struggling learner into a master neurodevelopmentalist. With her new knowledge of brain optimization, coupled with experience as a public, private, and homeschool teacher, she developed curriculum and training programs for parents and professionals. The NeuroDevelopmental Approach gave her hope for her daughter, and now Dr. Jan, aka Brain Coach™, dedicates her time to helping children, teens, and adults reach their fullest God-given potential, whether they are gifted, typical, or challenged.

By Peggy Ployhar Whether St. Patrick’s Day brings out the Irish in you, or you are just looking for an excuse to change up your homeschooling schedule for a day, we have some tips for you! Here are some great ways to incorporate this holiday’s celebrations for the faithful, history buffs, stagnant learners, children who need challenges, or those needing a break. These resources are my top free picks from the SPED Homeschool St. Patrick’s Day Pinterest board. If you want more inexpensive and adaptable resources, make sure to check out all the links on that board. Or, better yet, explore all the SPED Homeschool Pinterest boards for resources to help you in every area of homeschooling a student with special educational needs. Faith St. Patrick’s Day Bible Verse Scavenger Hunt – Enjoy this fun activity while following the great ideas included on this site about how to talk with your children about evangelism. 7 Verses for a Christ-Centered St. Patrick’s Day – Great verses to start discussions with your children about how St. Patrick spread the gospel to Ireland. Share the Good News Like St. Patrick – Use this lesson to help your children learn how the gospel is for everyone and how to share it with others. History History of St. Patrick’s Day Video – Learn all about the history and traditions around St. Patrick’s Day in this short 4-minute video. The Real St. Patrick – A list of books, video links, and other activities and lessons to educate about the historical St. Patrick. Language Arts Find and Rhyme Clover Treasure Hunt Game – A fun treasure hunt for clovers that will help your children work on their literacy skills. I Spy St. Patrick’s CVC Words – Find the 10 hidden words on this free printable; you may need a magnifying glass to find them. St. Patrick’s Vocabulary Cards – 20 different words you can use for teaching vocabulary, plus fun activities you can do with them. Leprechaun Themed Writing Prompt – Get your child’s creative words flowing as they use them to describe the leprechaun they are searching for. Math Counting Shamrocks – Work on counting and sequencing with this fun, hands-on activity. Clover Addition & Subtraction Cards – Use these cards with manipulatives to practice adding and subtracting skills. March Math Challenges & Brain Teasers – Free resources to help with adding, subtracting, and simple multiplication. Shamrock Math Race – A fun and active way to reinforce counting and get a bit of exercise while doing it. Therapy Fine Motor Shamrock Craft – A fun way to have your child work on fine motor skills while making beautiful green shamrocks. Gross Motor Clover Hop – Get your kids up and jumping with this fun activity. 15+ St. Patrick’s Day Speech and Language Activities – Work on your child’s speech and language goals with these fun St. Patrick’s Day activities. STEM Leprechaun Lego Trap – Is your child up to the challenge? This article will give you all you need to set up the challenge and get your child’s creative juices flowing. Crack the Code – 11 different St. Patrick’s Day crack the code free printable sheets. St. Patrick’s Day STEM Challenges – Three St. Patrick’s Day STEM challenges that use everyday items from your home. Unit Study Christ-Centered St. Patrick’s Day Ideas – A list of things you can do as a family to learn and grow in your faith together on St. Patrick’s Day. Ireland Unit Study – Learn all about Ireland through this study’s recommended books, videos, crafts, recipes, and more. St. Patrick’s Day Unit Study – Use this free unit study to bring together an entire day of learning, all centered around St. Patrick’s Day. History of St. Patrick Unit Study – Cover math, science, social studies, language arts, geography, and more while learning the history of St. Patrick. Sensory and Breaks Sparkling Play Dough – Use this play dough recipe for stress-relieving sensory play. St. Patrick’s Day Brain Breaks – 8 ideas for St. Patrick’s Day brain breaks you can use between seated school times. Have a great St. Patrick’s Day!

By Shanel Tarrant-Simone Planning for the future often varies and should commence early for our children with learning differences and special needs. Below, I'll cover a range of topics that I hope you find helpful when planning your child's future. We'll address foundational skills and how to access resources at an early age. Through nearly ten years of working in public school special education, and being a mom of seventeen-year-old twin boys with Level 3 Autism, I've learned that Activities of Daily Living (ADL) are crucial in accessing the community when our children are no longer school-age. ADLs are the skills our children will need to function as independently as possible, regardless of what the future holds for them. When should I start planning for my child's future? It's never too early to plan. Our homeschool curriculum and "lifestyle of learning" should support our child's post-school goals soon after diagnosis or as early as elementary age. And because some of our children need more time to acquire even basic skills, teaching towards independence as much as possible begins at the preschool level. This includes the often overlooked but vital skill of Functional Communication. The best advice I've received from someone working with adults on the Spectrum is that "functional language and safely being able to use a public restroom are the two most important skills we can give a special needs child/adult. Academics are important but less so if these two basics aren't mastered." What questions should I ask when planning for my child's future? Education: Will my child attend college, Trade/Vocational School, or spend several days each week in the community at a DayHab facility? Legal: Do I have all necessary documents such as a will and Special Needs Trust? Will my child need full Guardianship or will Supported Decision Making suffice? Living Arrangements: Will they live independently? If so, where? Is Supported (semi-independent) Living, Group Home, or Host Home Companion (Foster Care) the best option? Or will they remain at home with family? What supports are needed to access the community? Job/Financial: Will my child have a job? Volunteer? Require Employment Assistance or Supported Employment? Local & State Services: Who is my Local Authority? What services are available to my child as a minor and as an adult? Is there a waiver list to support their community-based, behavioral, medical, and financial needs? Should I apply for SSI and Medicaid? These are just a few of the many decisions that need to be made for our children. Some need addressing early, others as they approach high school age. I am currently making some of the more time-sensitive and critical adult transition decisions for my boys. I hope my experiences over the last twelve years will be helpful to you and your family when making these difficult but necessary decisions.