Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
VII. Legal and Support Resources (a.k.a. You’ve Got More Backup Than You Think)
Do Homeschoolers Get Services?
Short answer: Sometimes.
Longer answer: It depends on where you live, who you talk to, and whether you caught the school office staff before or after lunch.
Every state is different when it comes to homeschoolers accessing special education services. Some states allow you to tap into services like:
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy (OT)
- Physical therapy (PT)
through the public school system or local regional centers, even if you’re educating at home.
Your best move?
Check your state’s homeschool laws (start with HSLDA.org—the Homeschool Legal Defense Association—they’ve got easy-to-read maps and resources). Also, call your district’s special education department and ask nicely. Sometimes services are offered through part-time enrollment or an Individual Service Plan (ISP) instead of an IEP. Some school districts offer homeschooling options that have a teacher drop in occasionally, and your child will have access to services, but this is most likely going to a school site for services. Which our family did for a time.
Pro tip: Be persistent, not pushy (scratch that! You will need to be pushy at times, unfortunately). Working for several school districts and being a parent with children who have special needs, school districts do not want to provide services if they do not have to!!! And document every conversation like you’re preparing for a Netflix courtroom drama.
Recordkeeping and Documentation: Your Future Self Will Thank You
Yes, even homeschoolers need receipts—and I don’t just mean the ones from Target’s dollar spot.
At minimum, keep:
- A homeschool portfolio: samples of work, photos of projects, lists of books read. Pro-tip: Make sure you date the papers, worksheets, and projects your kids work on.
- Goal sheets: what you’re aiming for academically, socially, and functionally
- Assessment notes: not standardized tests unless required, but simple tracking of progress (“Johnny can now tie his shoes without asking for help!”). A lot of schools will consider 70 to 85 percent mastery of a skill.
- Attendance records if your state requires them.
You don’t have to make it fancy. A binder, a Google Drive folder, or even a big tote labeled “Homeschool Stuff” works. The goal is to track growth and show that learning is happening, even if it doesn’t look traditional.
Where to Find Help (That Doesn’t Involve Scrolling Facebook for Hours)
When you need fresh ideas—or just someone who gets it—look here:
- HSLDA: Legal advice, resources, and advocacy for homeschoolers
- Special needs homeschool co-ops: Some are virtual if local groups are slim pickings
- Online support groups: Facebook has tons, but platforms like Mighty Networks or even Reddit offer niche, supportive communities
- Local regional centers: Often provide therapy referrals, parent workshops, and disability services at low or no cost
- Or even my humble little site: www.iepgetaway.com
Don’t do it alone. Even one solid connection can change the whole homeschooling experience. It is great connecting with other parents and families, with a good idea of what type of challenges we can face raising kids with special needs.
My family has been to a Down Syndrome walk and an Autism walk in Texas and California. We have met with some amazing people at these events and created friendships that last to this day. The picture below is an Easter event with the East Texas Down Syndrome Community.
VIII. Celebrating Wins and Embracing Progress
In special education, small wins are massive wins.
Mastering three sight words? HUGE. Asking for a break instead of melting down? MONUMENTAL. Getting dressed independently? LEGENDARY.
Success looks different here—and that’s not just okay, it’s beautiful.
The rest of the world might measure progress in letter grades or trophies. We measure it in moments:
- A smile during math
- A word spoken for the first time (This is monumental! Especially when they say “I love you” for the first time.)
- A new skill practiced, even if it’s not perfected yet
Celebrate the tiny victories. Shout them from the rooftops. Post them in your kitchen. Tell your group chat (the real MVPs).
You’re building confidence, brick by brick. That’s how real learning happens.
IX. Conclusion: You Are the Right Teacher for Your Child
Homeschooling a child with special needs isn’t about doing everything perfectly.
It’s about connection over perfection.
It’s about choosing presence over pressure.
It’s about building a life that makes sense for your family, not anybody else’s.
You are the right person for this job—not because you know everything, but because you love your child enough to figure it out.
Progress, not perfection. Connection, not comparison.
You’ve got this.
And if you ever feel like you don’t? There’s a whole community (me included) ready to remind you that you’re doing better than you think. Got a win to celebrate? A question you’re wrestling with?
Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your story. We’re in this together.
