Homeschooling neurodivergent children as a solo neurodivergent parent 

Overcoming your fears

Homeschooling as a solo, neurodivergent parent can be a daunting challenge to undertake on your own. But when you know what is best for yourself and your child, creating a strategy for success doesn't seem so challenging anymore. Strategy is key! Being a solo neurodivergent parent, not only raising but also teaching neurodivergent children, could sometimes feel like a thin line between exploration and exhaustion. Homeschooling is not about replicating the school system or classroom methods, unless, of course, that approach is helpful to you and your child. However, more importantly, it creates a space where you and your homeschooler can allow curiosity to meet creativity, allowing your nervous system to breathe while you and your homeschooler learn at your own pace.

Energy structured time

Traditional hours are for conventional schools. Set a time for your homeschool that fits with your daily schedule. Your schedule should reflect your family's nervous system behaviors. If you know your homeschooler typically has a mini breakdown in the morning, consider starting school later in the day when your child's energy is more stable and grounded. If your energy peaks at nighttime, then schedule your class then. Choose a schedule that truly calms a neurodivergent's mind. One that is aligned with the shared energy patterns of you and your homeschooler. Creating your days with a guided flow can help decrease fatigue and chaos within the neurodivergent mind, allowing for a healthier homeschooling journey for everyone involved.

Sensory safe learning

Classroom decor is helpful, but not necessary. Create a space that prioritizes emotional architecture. A space that provides safety to breathe and be oneself is most essential for your homeschoolers' learning environment. Remember, a calm mind grows where the senses feel safe. Take a moment to consider what type of decor would best suit your classroom, taking into account your needs and those of your neurodivergent family. Is it a whiteboard to keep track of the day's activities or lessons, or is it a soft light and weighted blanket that helps the nervous system feel safe and calm? Allow yourself to be open-minded and explore ways to create a sensory-safe learning environment that helps ease transitions from home living to home learning.

Let curiosity lead the curriculum.

As neurodivergent individuals, we are natural explorers, so helping your homeschooler learn through subjects they are passionate about will alleviate the pressure on their nervous system regarding learning in general. If your homeschooler is fascinated with dinosaurs, fidgets, or even slime or something of the sort, then create a lesson plan around those topics that include reading, writing, math, or any other type of lesson plan you would like around such themes to keep your neurodivergent's mind engaged. Remember, learning sticks to the mind better when it feels like a discovery rather than a duty.

Self regulation

You are your child's model of what self-regulation looks like as a neurodivergent person. As a solo parent, things could sometimes become challenging. It is okay to voice when you need to take a moment to re-gather your thoughts from the chaos, or when you want to take a breather to create space to think clearly. Vocalizing your internal imbalances and self-regulation practices teaches your homeschooler how to express themselves healthily with words, rather than through tantrums or emotional outbursts. Creating a self-regulation practice helps your neurodivergent homeschooler learn that emotions are not disruptions to their life but simply reminders that emotions are energy in motion. Creating self-regulating practices will help release emotions of confusion and overload in a healthy manner, rather than destructively. Teaching yourself and your homeschooler how to self-regulate normalizes trusting your own voice.

Embrace tech and learning tools.

Doing it all is not required in homeschooling, so embrace letting your homeschooler learn with educational games, books, or resources like 2 Sisters Homeschool. There's no need to carry all the weight when we now have modern resources. The goal isn't to escape teaching but to expand how learning happens. So if your neurodivergent homeschooler needs voice-to-text software to help with writing challenges or visual learning apps to bring abstract concepts to life, that is okay. Give yourself the space to create an environment that keeps both your nervous system and your homeschoolers' nervous systems calm and healthy.

Virtual Village

Parenting solo does not have to mean isolation. A connection strengthens both the parent and the child, even if it's only a connection through a screen; build your village. Join neurodivergent-friendly online communities, where many parents share lesson plan ideas, offer emotional support to one another, and even exchange money-making tips as solo parents on this journey. If you have already tried this step and were unsuccessful in finding a group that aligns with your family, then creating your own small group is also an option.

Refining success

Keeping a learning journal instead of a gradebook will support your neurodivergent homeschool journey. In the burst of brilliance, remember to document the joys of your family's breakthroughs. When your homeschooler reads aloud for the first time or conquers a challenging task, document it in your learning journal to share with your child and to have for future inspiration.

Protect your energy

Homeschooling as a neurodivergent parent embodies the true meaning of redefining education. Building a life that fits the minds of a neurodivergent individual is a brave and deeply humane thing to do, and at times, it can be taxing on your energy. Rest does not mean laziness, so create daily rituals for yourself. Stay recharged by taking music breaks or having a quiet cup of tea in between breaks or before your class starts. Remembering to protect your energy is vital for a solo neurodivergent parent, as it helps your brain stay motivated to consistently share the love in your heart at home and in the classroom. Your dedication to choosing connection over conformity, curiosity over comparison, and compassion over control makes you the perfect fit for teaching your neurodivergent child to learn with freedom of self. You are doing great. Keep up the great work, beloved.