Homeschooling Special Needs

"Tools & Tips for Special Education at Home"

A Day in the Life: Homeschooling Two Autistic Children with ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and PDA and AFRID

Homeschooling neurodivergent children requires flexibility, patience, and a willingness to adapt. No two days are the same, but having a structured routine with built-in choices, sensory supports, and hands-on learning helps our children thrive.

One of my children has Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), so we incorporate choices and autonomy throughout the day. Another has Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), meaning meals require a non-pressured approach with safe food options.

Here’s a real-life look at our homeschool routine, including academic time, therapy sessions, sensory breaks, and outdoor play.




🌅 Morning Routine: Visual Schedules & Choices

We start our day with a structured but flexible routine, using visual schedules to help with transitions. PDA makes direct demands difficult, so I offer choices whenever possible:

✅ “Do you want to brush your teeth first or get dressed first?”
✅ “Would you like pancakes or toast?”
✅ “Do you want to check your schedule now or in five minutes?”

For my child with ARFID, breakfast is low-pressure and predictable:

🍞 Safe foods are always available (e.g., plain toast, yogurt, a specific brand of granola bars).
🥄 Gentle food exposure (placing a new food nearby without requiring them to eat it).
🚫 No forced eating, reducing anxiety around meals.

After breakfast, we ease into the day with:

🎨 Independent play (LEGO, drawing, quiet reading).
🛝 Swing time and sensory activities to regulate before structured learning.




🃏 Social Skills Through Play: Board games with a PDA Twist

Next, we play Uno to build:

✔️ Turn-taking skills.
✔️ Impulse control (waiting for turns).
✔️ Emotional regulation around winning and losing.

Since PDA makes structured games feel like a demand, I offer low-pressure choices:

🔹 “Do you want to shuffle the cards or deal first?”
🔹 “Do you want to play Uno now or after your sensory break?”

This gives a sense of control and reduces resistance.




🌳 Outdoor Learning: Movement & Real-World Skills

We head outside for fresh air, physical activity, and real-world learning:

🏞️ A walk to the park for movement and regulation.
🍂 Collecting leaves and sticks for a nature-based sensory project.
🏗️ Building a town in the sand, sparking creativity and problem-solving.
🚸 Discussing community safety and eloping risks in a natural setting.

For my PDA child, I provide low-pressure choices:

🔹 “Do you want to walk to the park or ride in your wagon?”

This reduces demand and increases cooperation.




📝 Handwriting Without Tears: Sensory-Friendly Writing Practice

Writing is one of our biggest challenges, so we use Handwriting Without Tears, incorporating:

🔤 Wooden letter shapes for hands-on learning.
🖍️ Chalkboard with a water eraser for tactile feedback.
✋ Sensory-friendly tools to improve fine motor skills.

For my PDA child, I offer a choice before starting:

🔹 “Would you like to use the chalkboard first or the wooden pieces?”

While one child works on handwriting, the other completes Acellus Power Homeschool for social studies and science.




➕ Math Time: Hands-On & Visual Learning

Math is another subject that benefits from a multisensory approach:

🟩 Math-U-See: Using blocks to visually understand addition and subtraction.
🖥️ Beast Academy Online: Engaging, story-based math challenges.

To accommodate PDA, I let my child choose the order:

🔹 “Do you want to start with Math-U-See or Beast Academy?”

Each child has a visual schedule at their desk and can take sensory breaks anytime (trampoline, swinging seat, foot bands and balance board).




🏥 Afternoon: Therapy Sessions (Speech & Occupational Therapy)

After lunch, we head to therapy for extra support:

🗣️ Speech Therapy: Working on articulation, social communication, and expressive language.
✋ Occupational Therapy (OT): Strengthening fine motor skills, sensory regulation, and handwriting.

Therapy days require extra transition support, so I use a countdown timer and give choices:

🔹 “Would you like to leave in five minutes or ten?”
🔹 “Do you want to bring your fidget toy or your weighted lap pad?”

This reduces anxiety and helps prepare for the transition.




🍽️ Lunch & ARFID Accommodations

For my child with ARFID, lunch is predictable and stress-free:

🥪 Safe foods (foods they’re comfortable eating daily).
🛑 No pressure to try new foods—we focus on creating a positive experience.
👃 Gentle sensory exposure (e.g., letting them explore a new food with no expectation to eat it).

For my PDA child, I offer choices:

🔹 “Do you want your sandwich cut or whole?”
🔹 “Do you want to eat at the table or outside on the patio?”

After therapy and lunch, we head to the local jump park:

🦘 Burning off energy.
🎯 Gross motor skill development.
🤝 Social interactions in an unstructured environment.

To ease transitions, I give warnings before leaving:

🔹 “Would you like to jump for five more minutes or ten?”

This helps reduce meltdowns by giving them a sense of control.




🏡 Why This Approach Works for Us

Homeschooling neurodivergent children means adapting, observing, and meeting them where they are. By incorporating:

✔ Visual schedules to reduce anxiety.
✔ Hands-on, sensory learning to increase engagement.
✔ Frequent movement breaks to improve focus.
✔ Choice and autonomy to accommodate PDA.
✔ Low-pressure food exposure to support ARFID.
✔ Therapy sessions for extra support.

We create an environment where learning feels safe and accessible.

💬 Are you homeschooling neurodivergent kids? What strategies work for your family? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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