Michael P. Farris, Esq.
Chairman &
General Counsel

Homeschooling works for kids with special needs!

Volume 56, Program 25 12/3/2004 Original airdate: July 4, 2003

Have other parents been able to successfully teach their special needs children? Chairman Michael Farris talks about several success stories today on Home School Heartbeat.

Michael Farris:
HSLDA members Christine and Bill Gibbs made the decision to homeschool their son Aaron, who has Sotos syndrome and a serious cardiac condition. After struggling with poor results in the public school, they discovered that Christine's one-on-one instruction and the healthier home environment allowed Aaron to thrive academically. They received financial help from the Special Needs Children's Fund to purchase curriculum, and continue to progress well.


In New Jersey, Howard Forstrom went to court so that his son Gregory could receive speech therapy services from the public school. Howard now encourages parents not to fear special needs, but to rise up to the challenge. The Forstroms tried many methods to find what worked best for Gregory. Perseverance paid off. Because they were their child's continuing teacher, they were able to obtain success because they didn't have to reinvent the wheel each new September.


A mother of a child diagnosed with autism decided to homeschool her son in spite of the school system's dire predictions. After a year of homeschooling, her son surpassed all the expectations of public school officials.


These families give God the credit for their success as they step out in faith to meet the needs of their special needs child. Perhaps he's calling you to do the same. I'm Mike Farris.