Neurodivergent Homeschooling

 

Neurodivergent homeschooling presents itself as a puzzle that we feel compelled to solve. 

We gather all of the "pieces" and we just can't seem to figure out how they all fit together...

Or we do. Until we don't.

We research like our lives depend upon it, we earn honorary doctorates in things like ADHD and Dyslexia and SPD, and we fill up notebooks with strategies and theories and tools.

And yet we can still sometimes be left standing with our hands thrown up in the air as we've yet again arrived at Square One.

And, we often just want experts to tell us *exactly* what to do, when to do it, how to od it...and to guarantee that it will work.

The fact is that there is no formula.

There is no puzzle and we can't "solve" anything.

What we have before us are beautiful and perplexing types of personhood.

We have persons, not projects.

And, what those persons need most is out intentionality, not our PHD quality research and knowledge.

Yes, we need to research. We need to study and to learn.

But then we need to take that information and thoughtfully consider the person before us, employ our God-given instincts, and make the best choices we can with assurance that there's no single "right" or "best" one.

One of the most impactful ways I've learned to apply intentionality in my neurodivergent homeschool is to understand the difference between Adapting, Accommodating, and Acquiescing and to use them accordingly. 

Adapting:

To make something suitable for a new purpose or use/to modify.

Example- using 3 recommended books instead of 5.

Accomodating:

A well-chosen compromise within an adjustment to someone's needs (knowingly and peacefully giving up one thing for another).

Example- typing narration instead of writing them.

Acquiescing:

To accept without protest. 

Example- not finishing something because it's hard.

When we adapt and accommodate knowingly, thoughtfully, and intentionally as acts of stewardship, we can avoid acquiescing out of overwhelm.

We don't need a formula, we just need intentionality.

I discuss this (and so much more) in my Neurodivergent Homeschooling Workshop.