Homeschooling ADHD: Is It For Our Family?

Homeschooling seems like a great idea for kids with ADHD.  The benefits of the homeschool environment for children with ADHD are many and include:

1) an individualized learning environment, so that your child doesn't get lumped in with children of low IQ or severe behavioral problems, who also require special educational intervention, and also so that your child can spend more time in pursuits that interest him.

2)  flexibility of the learning environment, so that your child can move or take a break as needed and not be penalized.

3)  dedicated (hopefully) parent-teachers who will follow the educational plan and not need to be scolded and browbeaten constantly to treat your child fairly.

4)  better control over your child's social environment, so that they may avoid negative peer influences and being a target for name calling and bullying.

5)  avoiding ineffective and detrimental disciplinary tactics such as taking away recess or physical education class time, punishment for issues directly related to ADHD, public humiliation and others.

6)  avoiding the need to deal with ignorant, overburdened, or financially motivated teachers and administrators.

7)  avoiding the anxiety of changing teachers every year.
8)  less expensive than private schools.

However, homeschooling is not for everyone.  In addition to issues that pertain to everyone who home schools, people who home school a child with ADHD should also consider:

1)  Homeschooling a child with ADHD is difficult.  You need extra patience, not a short temper.  If you do have issues with patience, take heart, though.  Sometimes you love your child more than you realize and you are able to grow in this area.  However, if you do have severe anger issues, this is not for you.

2)  If you have other children, your child with ADHD may take a disproportionate share of your time.  They may work independently later on than you expect and they may require more frequent check ins or direct supervision depending on the subject.  You may spend a lot of time sitting with your ADHD child keeping them on track and this can take a toll on the other children if you aren't careful to give them attention as well.  This can be especially difficult with little ones.

3)  Your child may require more expensive curriculum than the average child.

4)  Your child will require regular opportunities for physical activity, at least daily.  This means you need a place nearby that is safe to play in year round--whether a large back yard, an indoor trampoline or treadmill, a park, a gym or a pool.  Keep in mind that it should be something fairly appealing or they may not do it.  Sometimes these types of activities can be expensive.

5)  Your child may not do well in the traditional home school co-op setting as the teachers are generally all volunteers and few have training in handling children with special needs.  On the other hand, co-ops sometimes have very small class sizes, which can be helpful in differentiating instruction to fit the needs of the student.  Co-ops have differing degrees of academic rigor and social expectations, so parents need to be aware of what they are getting into.   Of note, not all home school families participate in co-ops.  Some find socialization opportunities through scouts, church, sports, other types of paid classes (art, martial arts), play dates, etc.
6)  While you can always access services such as OT, speech therapy, and special educational services privately, you may have to pay for them out of pocket.  Some states/districts allow home schooled children to access special services through the public schools.  Some do not.   Some health insurance policies will not cover services that can be accessed through public schools or which are considered "educational".

If you are having a hard time deciding whether you can handle homeschooling your child with ADHD, there are a number of people out there who could be a resource to you.  First, you may want to check with your local homeschool support group for a "struggling learners" or "special needs" group.  Second, you may want to consult your local chapter of CHADD.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy