Being Brave: Lessons Learned from Guide Dogs

By Kathy Kuhl, from Learn Differently "Socialization"—the word all homeschoolers dread. Not because we hate socializing, but because relatives and even strangers keep asking us about it. As parents of children with special needs, we absolutely want to help our kids develop social skills, just as we would if they were in public or private school. Sometimes, we just need to seize the right moment. "My son is finally opening up this year, wanting to be around other kids. I'm searching for opportunities," Mary wrote, asking for help finding a Boy Scout troop that welcomes boys on the spectrum. Whether you’re looking for a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop, a sports team, or another extracurricular activity, here are five tips for finding a good fit for your exceptional child: 1. Ask Your Local Homeschool Community Talk to local homeschool support groups, message boards, and social media groups. When you get responses, ask a few follow-up questions—chances are, parents will love sharing what their kids are doing. If someone doesn’t understand your child’s special needs, be ready with a short, clear explanation: "He loves camping and is very diligent, but is a bit socially awkward." "She misses social cues but is kind-hearted and loves crafts." Keep it simple at first. The group leader doesn’t need too much detail right away. 2. Reach Out to Special Needs Organizations Check in with local chapters of support organizations like CHADD, the Autism Society, or the Learning Disabilities Association. They can be great resources for finding inclusive activities in your area. 3. Contact the ARC The ARC serves individuals with a wide range of special needs. Your local chapter may offer insights into groups that could be a good fit for your child. 4. Every Group is Different Each troop or group has its own personality. When my family was searching for a Boy Scout troop years ago, a friend recommended visiting at least three. If the first one didn’t work out, there would still be other options. And even if a group wasn’t the right fit before, consider giving it another try. People move, dynamics change, and both the group and your child may have grown since you last visited. 5. Keep Leaders Informed—But Not Overwhelmed When you find the right group, provide just enough information about your child’s needs without overwhelming the leaders. If they ask questions, resist the urge to share everything at once. Keep it practical and relevant. For example: "Tom loves scouts. He has attention deficit disorder, but he's not hyperactive—just easily distracted. If you need his attention, please call his name before giving instructions. A gentle tap on the arm works well, too. Thanks for working with the troop!" "Sarah is thrilled to be here. She has an auditory processing disorder, so it’s hard for her to pick out one voice from other sounds, though her hearing is excellent. Eye contact helps before giving instructions, and moving to a quieter part of the room works wonders. We’re so grateful for all you do! Can I bring refreshments next time?" About Kathy Kuhl Kathy Kuhl equips and encourages parents of children with learning challenges. After homeschooling her bright, dyslexic, creative, and highly distractible son from grades 4-12, she interviewed 64 families homeschooling children with learning difficulties to write Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner. This handbook offers support for parents and educators working with children and teens who "learn differently," including those with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, autism, or giftedness—whether diagnosed or not.

Welcome to another episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations! Join host Peggy Ployhar, the Founder and CEO of SPED Homeschool, as she welcomes two incredible guests: Tricia Goyer and Sherri Seligson, MEd, for an inspiring conversation on "Happy Mothering: Embracing God’s Love and Navigating the Chaos of Your Calling." In this episode, Peggy, Tricia, and Sherri dive into how mothers can embrace the love and grace of God while finding joy amidst the chaos of motherhood. Tricia Goyer, a homeschooling mom, author, and speaker, and Sherri Seligson, a homeschool science expert and mother of four, share practical insights, faith-filled encouragement, and personal experiences to help you navigate the challenges of motherhood with purpose and peace. Whether you're juggling homeschooling, household responsibilities, or personal challenges, this conversation will equip you with wisdom and hope for your motherhood journey. To join in the after-show conversation, join the Empowering Homeschool Conversations Q&A group here: https://www.spedhomeschool.com/groups/tuesday-empowering-conversations *You must have a Navigator Membership or higher on Homeschool Heroes to be part of this group. To get a membership or upgrade your membership, visit: https://www.spedhomeschool.com/membership To pre-order Tricia and Sherri's new book, Wonders of the Ocean Realm, visit:https://www.tyndale.com/p/wonders-of-the-ocean-realm/9781496486462 To connect with Tricia, visit: https://triciagoyer.com/ To connect with Sherri, visit: https://www.sherriseligson.com/ Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.leilanimelendez.com/ https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/ Join our mission to empower homeschool families! https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Be sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell, so you never miss an episode! Join our mission to empower homeschool families!:  https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.