Special Needs? Make Special Plans!
If you plan to homeschool a special needs child, you would do well to plan ahead:
Plan ahead of time to stop dead in your tracks if whatever curriculum you purchased at the convention is obviously not working.
Plan ahead of time to regroup and revive if your plan fails.
Plan ahead of time to be teacher, therapist, doctor, librarian, counselor, chauffeur and warden, if necessary.
Plan ahead of time to spin your wheels on certain concepts or teach it until you can’t bear it another second. Then teach it again the next day.
Plan ahead of time to learn diligence, patience and grace. Then learn it again the next day.
Plan ahead of time to be the Only One who is willing to give and get your child what he or she needs.
Plan ahead of time to be a grizzly bear and a cuddly lamb. Simultaneously, if necessary, and as needed.
Plan ahead of time to commit your ways to the Lord especially when you don’t know which way that is.
Plan ahead of time to understand that most people will never understand why you do what you do.
Plan ahead of time to be relieved when it turns out okay and no one is worse for the wear.
Plan ahead of time for contentment in the knowledge that you did the very best you could every step of the way.
Plan ahead of time for His grace to be enough for you as He entrusts YOU with His most delicate and vulnerable creations.
Heather is a homeschool mom of four and muses on womanhood, parenthood and grace in a fallen world at notthatgoodofaperson.blogspot.com.
Heather is a homeschool mom of four and muses on womanhood, parenthood and grace in a fallen world at 
Great article! All that you have said is true and more! I would only add to “plan ahead by asking questions – lots of them – the more the better!” when it comes to your choices in curriculum. methods, or anything related to your child’s needs. Don’t expect the “experts” to know everything – I’ve been teaching special needs for quite some time and I still don’t know everything! I learn new things in this field every day and I learn them by asking questions and not accepting things that just do not quite sound right.
Absolutely, Lisa! Every child needs his own advocate to study and learn him and who better to do that than Mom!
LOVE THIS!!! I’m printing it off and putting it as a reminder where I can see it. And another…plan ahead to find laughter and the joy in the journey. Thanks Heather.
Thank you, Lindsay! And I love your addition!