Background

I am the teacher of a mentally handicapped girl and have started to home school her in January 2008. I got to know her, when I taught the special needs class she was in, in 2007. She was keen to learn but progress was limited: basically due to the fact that the class was too diversified: Academically, she was way ahead of her class mates, but at the same time, she was much older than most. Emotionally and socially, she was not doing well: she would cry easily and she stuttered badly. Communication in class was a big frustration for her and for me – there was simply not always time to hear her out and other class mates often interrupted her. At the end of 2007, her parents were faced with the dilemma: Where to go with Amy? The present situation was a no go and with her speech problems, another special school also did not seem to be the answer. They opted for home schooling and asked me to help. I gladly accepted the challenge: how much could one achieve with a child with limited capabilities, given optimum teaching circumstances? What should she be taught to help her reach her full potential? After only one month of teaching A at home, I know we are on the right track. Sharing the successes and frustrations of home teaching a special needs learner, is what this is all about.