Learn about the regulations for homeschooling in your state, as policies vary from state to state (see Resources). Call the superintendent in your local school district and ask for information about the laws in that state. You can also write the State Department of Education and request a copy of the current laws pertaining to school attendance (see Resources). While some states do not even require parents to give notice about home schooling their children, other states require parents to notify the school district of their intent to homeschool. The laws in a number of states require parents to submit test scores or have a child's academic progress evaluated by a certified teacher or other professional educator. There are a few states that have more rigid requirements, including state approval of the homeschooling curriculum and home visits throughout the school year by state education officials.
Contact your state's Department of Health or Department of Education to find out what kinds of academic support and other resources are available to assist a child with learning disabilities. The state may be able to provide additional tutorial or mentor support.
Assess your child's academic skills and grade level before developing a teaching plan. Check the Internet for assessment tests available for homeschoolers (see Resources). Determine whether your child's best learning style is visual, auditory, tactile or a combination. Set your child up for success by providing the appropriate learning environment. Although some students learn best by listening, children with certain learning disabilities can be distracted by outside noises. Students who are more visually stimulated often find it helpful to use color highlighters when they read their lessons or take notes. Many learning disabled students learn better from hands-on activities.
Research a range of different curriculums and learning plans. The Internet is a great resource for this kind of information (see Resources). Network with other homeschool parents to find out what teaching tools they use. Join a support group or online homeschooling forum. You can learn a lot from other parents, especially those who homeschool children with learning disabilities. But even parents who have no experience homeschooling a child with special needs will still be able to give you some general information about homeschooling laws and teaching curricula.
Set short-term goals, which your child can complete each day. The key is to be organized and consistent in your teaching approach. Allow your child to work at his own pace, and repeat lessons if need be. Keep in mind that some children do not learn well in a structured environment and learn more when they are allowed to use their creativity.
Allow your child flexibility in the subjects he tackles. He may do better to work in one grade level for a particular academic subject and a different grade level for another subject. A primary advantage of homeschooling a child with ADHD or other learning disability is that you can design a curriculum that meets your child's particular needs and adjust it as needed.