A generation ago, parents of children with learning disabilities didn’t have much to choose from in terms of quality schooling. They could either enroll in a special education program, private school or parochial school that matched their religious beliefs.
Today, however, there are many great educational options for parents to consider. From charter schools to homeschooling, you can find resources for every type of learner. It’s just a matter of looking and researching before making a final decision.
Here are a few things to consider when searching for the right school for your child with a learning disability.
Specialists and Classroom Programming
In your search for a good, supportive school for a child with learning disabilities, you might look into all special programs and therapies it might offer. When you tour the building, ask questions that address whether there are therapists or counselors and what they specialize in. For example, some schools may have speech, physical and occupational therapists, while others may have one or none of them. Does it offer adaptive physical education or tutors?
It’s also important to research the schools’ policy on accommodations and modifications for students with learning disabilities. While accommodations deal with how a student learns and modifications address what the student is learning, both are important classroom considerations for students with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia or another learning difference.
Asking these questions and doing your research before committing to a school will give your child the best chance to succeed in their studies. If there are trained professionals, accommodations or modifications in place to help them while they’re attending classes and even extracurricular activities, it will put your mind at ease and ensure your child has what they need for a complete special educational experience.
State Special Education Laws
When you’re searching for a better school for your learning difference child, make sure you’re aware of the legal requirements you’re entitled to, including an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Under the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA), every public school is required to provide an individualized, adapted and assistive learning plan for students with learning disabilities.
If you’re looking into private rather than public schooling, researching the Special Education Reimbursement Law is crucial. Private schools can be very expensive, but you’re entitled to tuition payment assistance as stipulated in Supreme Court Case Forest Grove School District v. T.A. (2009). Under IDEA, this case ruled that you may receive tuition reimbursement for private special education services. Do your research and be aware of these requirements as you continue your school search process.
Charter Schools
Public and private schools aren’t the only places to consider when searching for quality education for your child. Charter schools, which fall under the public school system, are required to provide special education services to children who qualify. This may sound incredibly promising, but charter schools are less regulated than traditional public schools, and their services are only as good as their funding allows.
Charter schools also use a lottery admission system, randomly selecting students regardless of academic ability. This proves both good and bad for learning-disabled children. While this may give them a fair chance at admission, there is still a possibility they won’t be selected. On the bright side, attendance isn’t limited to a certain district or neighborhood, so you’ll always have a wide selection of charter schools to choose from.
Additional Resources:
- 20 Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities
- The Best School Options for Students with ADHD and LD
Test Accommodations
Exams and standardized tests can be daunting to all kids, so it’s likely your child will be just as anxious, if not more so, about their testing. When it comes to the SAT and ACT, however, you can request special accommodations for your child. Look for a school with a Services for Student Disabilities coordinator to help guide you through the process of applying for and receiving testing accommodations.
Depending on their learning disability, this may include extended time, an assistant to read questions aloud, or even a specific seating arrangement away from other classmates and potential distractions. If your child has ADD, they may be allowed to take their standardized tests in a private room. Finding the right testing assistance can have a lasting positive impact on your child’s future educational endeavors.
Alternative Schooling
Depending on your child’s learning disability, a typical classroom setting might not even be right for them. Many parents are now considering virtual schools to better support their children. Online schooling is flexible and can be tailored to suit a child’s needs. If a student needs additional time to understand a certain topic, they can move at their own pace.
Others are transitioning to homeschooling to better support their child’s unique learning style. For example, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are unable to concentrate or practice self-control for long periods. At least one in five students with ADHD don’t receive the school-based intervention services they need. Instead, parents of struggling children may choose to keep them at home and create an atmosphere that can cater to their specific needs.
Before choosing one of these options, however, it’s equally as important to do your research. While homeschooling is legal in every state, each state has its own requirements on qualifications, instruction, and IEPs, and some states may not offer special education homeschooling services.
It’s important, also, to remember that while online schooling and homeschooling may be a good choice for your learning difference child, not every child will respond best to this kind of education, and not every remote schooling program will suit students with learning disabilities. Look for online and homeschooling programs with learning accommodations for your child’s specific learning difference.
How to Support a Child With Learning Disabilities in School
When you find the right resources and finally decide on a school, you allow your child to create a successful life and career for themselves. Although the search for a supportive, quality school may seem a little overwhelming right now, trust in the fact that making the right decision early on will lay the foundation for their future. Whatever choice you make will be done out of love, so rest easy knowing that you are doing all you can to help your child build a life they’ll love.
About the Author: Alyssa Abel is an experiential education writer who covers a variety of topics from learning styles to emerging methodologies. Read more of her work on her blog, Syllabusy.