Homeschooling a child with a disability?

It would really depend upon the nature of the disability and the nature of the services my child needed. If I could provide the services my child needed, I'd do that. Let's say my child were deaf. I am not fluent in American Sign Language, so I couldn't adequately teach it to my child. If my child had autism and would benefit from ABA training, (applied behavior analysis-discreet trial training) I'd definitely seek those services for my child from someone who was trained in them. If my child had a speech articulation issue, I'd certainly want him/her to receive speech therapy, but I'm not a speech pathologist and I don't know that I could teach proper articulation. Same issue if my child were vision impaired. If I felt I had the knowledge of adaptive technology and what would be best for my child, I'd homeschool. Otherwise I'd accept the help. Now, your friend might not realize that she can continue to homeschool and receive speech and/or occupational therapy for her child apart from classroom instruction. I definitely wouldn't turn down that type of service. There is a lot of training and specialized instruction that goes into those services. They can make a huge difference for many children. I think it's a situational decision.

This is a difficult question to answer without knowing exactly what the disability is and not being familiar with the child. I would tell you friend to do her own research, not be intimidated by the "professionals", and take the time to make her own decision. It may be a case where she honestly does need assistance, but at the same time can continue to homeschool. In the end she has to do what is best for her child. But tell her not to underestimate her "maternal instinct" because I am of the opinion that many times Mom knows best.

I've met several homeschooling families, and can speak from experience with my own daugther, who were told that their child suffered from ADD or ADHD...and it turned out that none of them actually did. In my daughter's case she was bored in school before we took her out and started homeschooling

Most "specialists" are going to tell your friend that she isn't capable of educating her child. Why? Jobs. Brainwashing during their training. Closed minds.

Before we began homeschooling, we had specialists telling us our child was ADHD and had some sort of learning disability. When we got her away from the "experts" the ADHD and learning disability magically disappeared. Turned out she is right hemisphere (as is one-third of the population), and visual-spatial.

Now, I'm not saying this is true for all kids. But before your friend makes any sort of decision, she should get to know people who are homeschooling kids like hers.

Here's a start: http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/weblinks/ADD.h...

Unless parent is educated on how to provide the child with proper education geared towards specific disability; has patience and determination, then I think it would be OK. But honestly, I think education should be done by the experts.