Sessions

We have over 30 amazing sessions from giants in the homeschooling blogging world and renowned disability advocates.

These sessions and keynotes are sure to encourage and inspire parents who are homeschooling their special needs children, tweens, and teens. Let's check them out.

General Sessions

After the Diagnosis: What's Next

If your child was just diagnosed with a learning disability or a special need of any kind, there can be a myriad of feelings, to deal with such as shock, concern, fear, relief, confirmations, anger or sadness, to feeling overwhelmed with further questions-the biggest of which is, "Now what?"...
Speaker: Lisa Nehring, True North Homeschool Academy
Thanks to Faith Berens and HSLDA
Post by Faith Berens
Video by Faith Berens

Practical Strategies to Teach Children/Teens with Special Needs

It’s no secret that special needs struggling students have difficulty learning new skills and remembering information. Judi Munday draws on her 30 years of experience to share practical, easy-to-use strategies to help you recognize the “real” underlying causes for your student’s failure to make progress. Judi’s teaching tips will strengthen your effectiveness as a teacher and reduce frustration for both you and your child. Learn how to help your child work through challenges in learning new material, forgetting previously learned content, and organizing written compositions. Discover evidence-based ways to assess what your child has learned and to provide alternatives so they can “show what they know” and work from their strengths.
Speaker: Judi Munday, Help in School

Keynote: Temple Grandin

Of IEPs and 504 Plans -- Bridging between public schools and Homeschooling

Homeschooling your special needs child after public school can be a daunting task. Do you need an IEP or 504 plan? What about accommodations? Can I even homeschool my special needs child? Terrie will answer these and other questions in this session that is designed for new homeschoolers or people considering homeschooling special needs children, tweens, and teens.
Speaker: Terrie McKee, Homeschooling One Child

Keeping Your Sanity through Organization of Special Needs Information

Evaluations, testing, therapies, OH MY! The world of homeschooling special needs has its own vernacular that can be overwhelming to parents. In this session, Terrie (a homeschooling mom with 25 years' experience with special needs) will detail some strategies that has helped her keep important things together relating to her childrens' special needs.
Speaker: Terrie McKee, Homeschooling One Child

Help Distractible Students Succeed

Is your child’s mind a million miles from your lesson? Learn how to change your homeschool to curb distractibility, help your child improve his or her focusing power, and make your homeschool more friendly to that wandering mind. Veteran homeschooler and author Kathy Kuhl also discusses related character issues, and how to teach if you’re distractible.
Speaker: Kathy Kuhl, Learn Differently

Specific Special Needs

Homeschooling with ADHD

Are you homeschooling a child with ADHD? Homeschooling with ADHD can be an exhausting job, but, so rewarding. We are laying out resources for the ADHD child, encouragement for the parents, and so much more. This session is everything you need to know about homeschooling with ADHD.
Speaker: Misty Bailey, Joy in the Journey/Joyfully Homeschooling Podcast

Fostering independence in your adhd child

Are life skills in your lesson plan? Homeschooling offers the time and the freedom to ensure that your children leave your nest prepared to not only survive but to thrive as adults. As a mom with ADHD myself I have developed many strategies for coping with the challenges that are created when you have an ADHD brain. This session will include practical tips and techniques for encouraging independence in children with ADHD.
Speaker: Sharon Huizinga, ADHD Home

Homeschooling with Apraxia

Are you homeschooling with Apraxia or thinking about it? Let’s take a look at all you need to know about homeschooling with Apraxia. From symptoms to resources and encouragement we are covering everything you need to know about Apraxia.
Speaker: Misty Bailey, Joy in the Journey/Joyfully Homeschooling Podcast

Dyslexia Demystified--Definitions and Hope for Homeschoolers

In this informative workshop, Faith defines what dyslexia is (and what it is not), discusses the different types of dyslexia as well as levels of struggle (mild, moderate, severe), and then offers hope by sharing the types of necessary teaching methods, research-based interventions, and programs that you can implement in your homeschool. Faith offers hope and encouragement in addition to tricks and strategies to add to your teaching toolkit!
Speaker: Faith Berens, Homeschooling Now

Giving Gifted KIds What They Really Need

Hal and Melanie both went through the best gifted education their areas had to offer and have homeschooled gifted kids from preschool to graduation. Along the way, they’ve discovered that myths about giftedness abound and not many people are talking about the real needs these children have – socially, spiritually, and intellectually. Get practical help for your gifted child in this workshop.
Speakers: Hal & Melanie Young, Raising Real Men

ADHD: Creating an Environment that Renders Amazing Possibilities

This session will offer a fresh and renewed perspective on ADHD. The goal of the session will be to provide information that helps everyone understand the conditions of ADHD a little differently as a performance disorder and not a knowledge disorder. Tips for supporting children and young adults in ways that render amazing possibilities will be the focus of the session.
Speaker: Rochelle Matthews-Somerville, Homeschooling Now

Homeschooling Your ADHD Children (While Maintaining Your Sanity)

Homeschooling children with special needs and challenges can be a fantastic alternative to the norm of sending children to school to receive an education and special services such as specific therapies. Join Sharon for an open and honest talk about why she is homeschooling her children with ADHD, how she encourages a lifelong love of learning in her children and how she makes time to care for herself as well.
Speaker: Sharon Huizinga, ADHD Home

Strategies to Homeschool Children and Teens with Autism

In this session, participants will gather ideas and strategies on how to homeschool children, tweens, and teens with autism, including structure, visual schedules, tools, resources, and teaching techniques.
Speaker: Terrie McKee, Homeschooling One Child

Understanding the Twice Exceptional Learner: Boundless Gifts!

This session offers an overview of learners who are gifted, with some form of disability or learning challenge. You’ll be equipped with a broader understanding of how different exceptionalities can manifest themselves within learning styles and preview resources that match your child’s unique learning profile. Ultimately the goal of this workshop is to provide you with support so you can spend less time searching for information and resources and more quality family time with your child.
Speaker: Rochelle Matthews-Somerville, Homeschooling Now

keynote: Durenda Wilson

Homeschooling Essentials

The Essentials of Special Needs Homeschooling

Calming Stormy Behavior

Homeschooling is the ultimate individualized education plan, so it's not a wonder why parents of special needs children consider this educational choice. In this talk, Peggy Ployhar, the CEO of SPED Homeschool covers what it takes to get started homeschooling, avoiding and conquering common pitfalls, and how to homeschool special education through high school. This talk is filled with practical advice from the trenches of homeschooling for 18 years and working for over a decade as a special needs homeschooling consultant.
Speaker: Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool

Teaching Math to Struggling Learners

Does your student understand math concepts, but can’t master multiplication facts? Do you have a child with a math phobia or even a learning disability in math? This workshop will include a broad spectrum of teaching strategies and resources that will equip you to present math in ways that go beyond suggestions in traditional teacher manuals.
Speaker: Krisa Winn, Homeschooling Now/HSLDA

To See Each Child As An Individual

The most foundational part of any special needs education MUST begin with seeing the child as a person. So often, we focus our attention on deficits and teaching skills. But how different can education be when we focus on seeing the person instead of the diagnosis? Charlotte Mason, an educational philosopher from the 19th century, began her philosophy with the principle that “Children are Born Persons,” and deserve all the respect due to persons. In this session, we will challenge our preconceived ideas about education to see beyond deficits and skills training. When we treat children as persons, it changes how we see them. It changes how we apply therapies; how we parent; how we relate to our children; and eventually it changes how they learn and grow. Join me for a complete paradigm shift that will revolutionize your homeschool.
Speaker: Amy Bodkin, A Charlotte Mason Plenary

keynote: lee felix

Emotions that go from 0 to 100 in no time at all, little problems that turn into full blown meltdowns, tantrums that leave their mark on the rest of the day- these behaviors and others are stressful to all involved and have derailed many a school day. In this session, you will discover practical ideas for teaching your child self-regulation, explore ways to prepare your homeschool environment for success, and consider strategies to head-off difficult behaviors. You will leave with the resources needed to come alongside your student, and bring calm to otherwise stormy behaviors.
Speaker: Krisa Winn, Homeschooling Now/HSLDA

Coping Strategies from the Speechie Mom

My desire is to inspire homeschooling moms and dads to rethink the traditional structured learning environment by focusing on developing observational skills and employing practical daily activities. I will give a brief description of speech and language development, practical enrichment activity and honing observational skills to better create your own sensory diet specific to the needs of your child. I would like to grow your confidence in your child’s language learning by sharing practical experiences based on:

reading aloud and acting out the story
guiding sentence structure
spelling and vocabulary development through copywork

This will foster security and confidence both in the parent as teacher and the child as the learner while they grow together in a rich learning environment.

Building A Solid Foundation With A Developmental Approach To Homeschooling

When you build a house, you must begin with a solid foundation. So too in homeschooling, we need to look at the foundational aspects of child development: Social-Emotional, Communication, Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Life Skills, and Cognitive Development. Balance within these six areas is the key to creating a rich learning environment and a full and happy future. Join me as I walk you through each of the six main categories, and we take a deep dive into Communication. Even if your child is nonverbal, communication development still applies because every child speaks through behavior. Learn how you can help your child enhance his relationship with the world around him by building a solid foundation.
Speaker: Amy Bodkin, A Charlotte Mason Plenary

High School

High School at Home for Teens Who Struggle

The Special Needs Transcript

This workshop addresses some of the challenges associated with teaching struggling and atypical learners at home in the high school years. Do you have questions such as “How do I award my child with special needs a diploma?” or “What do I do since my child with dyslexia can’t read typical high school level material?” Faith discusses alternative coursework, specialized curricula and learning materials, assistive technology, transcript options, possible graduation guidelines, high school programs for special learners, and post–high school options. She also offers tips for navigating the process of applying for testing accommodations for College Board tests.
Speaker: Faith Berens, Homeschooling Now/HSLDA

Helping Struggling Learners Apply to and Succeed in College

Just because you have a struggling learner doesn’t mean they can’t go to college. They can! And get help they need while they’re there, too. Several of Hal and Melanie’s children have learning disabilities, but have been very successful in college. This practical workshop helps you get accommodations on the SAT and ACT, evaluate colleges, get accommodations there, and succeed!
Speakers: Hal & Melanie Young, Raising Real Men

High School & Beyond: Tools for Success

Is homeschool special needs only for grades K-8? Can you homeschool the teen who struggles with reading, writing, focusing, organizing, or other challenges? Is college still possible? Is it the best choice? Learn tools for high school, college, and career success from author and veteran homeschooler Kathy Kuhl. She discusses teaching when the teen cannot learn from a book, as well as teaching life skills, social skills, and social life, providing resources to prepare your young person for life after graduation. For parents and teens.
Speaker: Kathy Kuhl, Learn Differently

You have a special needs kiddo, and they are in high school. They are not quite up to grade level in Math or English or both, or it takes them a few years to get through what is traditionally a one-year program. The basics and therapy eat through your week, and there is no time for extra-curriculars, and the list of concerns goes on. Special Needs parents have unique life challenges, including creating a Special Needs Transcript for their High School years.
Speaker: Lisa Nehring, True North Homeschool Academy

Loving Your Teens Who Struggle with Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD

The teen years are a fragile time emotionally for many of our teenagers. How can you recognize depression, anxiety, and PTSD in your sons and daughters? What can you do to help them? How can you communicate love to them through it all? Meredith Curtis is a mom who has been there in the trenches, as well as a pastor's wife who has helped over families through difficult emotional times. There is light at the end of the tunnel!
Speaker: Meredith Curtis, Homeschool Joy at Powerline Productions

encouragement

Raising Exceptional Children

This is our personal story of raising five boys with various needs. Let Dara encourage you that God has a purpose for your child just like he/she is and that God did not make a mistake! She will cover how to accept each child and their individual challenges and how to help them reach their potential. Dara and Tracy raised two boys with genius IQ’s and homeschooled them successfully! One of these children also had ADHD, dyslexia, and Asperger’s syndrome. The other three boys were of average intelligence and successfully graduated in spite of dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADD and ADHD. Each is on a very unique path, but all are becoming the men that God created them to be. They have good self-esteem and are excited about life and love and follow God. What more could a parent ask for?
Speaker: Dara Halydier, Abiding Truth Ministry

Biblical Encouragement for the Special Needs Parent

peaking towards the scripture, "Train up a child in the way he should go," Peggy digs into the Bible to show parents how to live up to this standard without losing their focus, or their minds. From the experience of being a parent and a foster-parent of multiple special needs children, Peggy Ployhar has first-hand knowledge of the rigorous demands put on parents who are raising, training, and homeschooling children with special needs. Woven with personal stories, biblical truth, and lots of encouragement, this talk will truly speak to the hearts of parents who want to raise their special needs children as God has called them to do.
Speaker: Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool

Teaching Faith to Children with Special Needs

For many children with special needs, concepts are harder to grasp than the concrete, so they often have trouble learning and understanding about God, Who they can't see. In this session, participants will learn strategies to teach their kids about God, and how to assist their children's faith teachers at church in interacting with their child.
Speaker: Terrie McKee, Homeschooling One Child

4 Truths that Offer Hope for the Special Needs Mom

Simply said, it's hard to be a special needs Mom. Really hard. And in the midst of all the hard we're juggling it can be easy to lose hope. When we're feeling alone, overwhelmed, and hopeless it doesn't take much to start believing the lies that flood our minds and hearts daily. So what do we do when we're stuck? How do we grab onto hope once again? Join Lee Felix of Like Minded Musings for 4 Truths That Offer Hope For the Special Needs Mom. She will walk you through 4 common lies we believe and the truths that combat them. These truths will offer you hope and guide you in refocusing your heart.
Speaker: Lee Felix, Like Minded Musings

Soft Skills to Help Special Needs Children Feel Cherished and Respected

You can cultivate attitudes, communication skills, and social graces in family members and close friends that help your special needs child to thrive and become all the God has called him or her to be! Surround your special needs child with the healthy support system they need. Meredith will encourage you with practical wisdom and real-life examples! While this is a general session applicable to all special needs, examples will be used from our experience with autism, diabetes, anxiety, and depression.
Speaker: Meredith Curtis, Homeschool Joy at Powerline Productions

Keynote: Carol Anne Swett

extracurricular

Using Museums as Your Classroom

Tips for Successful Autistic Family Travel & Field Trips

Hands-on learning is the most fun and memorable education for any child -- and adult! You can inspire knowledge and awe of God's creation by making your local museum or zoo one of your "classrooms." In this workshop, Steven Policastro will show you how to use available resources and teaching techniques, including strategic Q&As, to teach your children the truth of God's creation, even at secular museums.
Speaker: Steven Policastro, International Association for Creation, Inc.

Create success for your autistic family travel that will make your amazing family smile. Having an itinerary your child can check off along the way is really helpful in allowing them to know and understand where they are in the journey from point A to point B. Learn what social stories are and how narratives help maintain structure & routine on days away from home. Session attendees will receive downloadable templates to help create their own social stories as well as a fun Field Trip Planning Packet suitable for the entire family.
Speaker: Shannan Swindler, Captivating Compass