What Every New Homeschooling Parent Should Know

Deciding to homeschool a nonspeaking or minimally speaking student is an act of love, advocacy, and faith. We support families who are walking this journey every day. Whether you're just starting out or still considering homeschooling, here are a few key ideas we believe every new homeschooling parent should know.

1. Have Realistic Expectations

Homeschooling a student with complex communication and motor needs looks very different from traditional education. Most of our students can't sit at a desk for long periods. Many cannot hold a pencil, stylus, or marker. Their attention may not appear focused in the way neurotypical students show it. And most importantly, academic mastery may not be visible right away.

Having realistic expectations means understanding that success doesn't always look like worksheets or looking at a book. Your student will need time to adjust to new expectations of academic performance, a new routine, and new ways of being asked to show what they know. For many of our students, their bodies are not able to consistently follow their minds. This isn’t about behavior—it’s about motor dysfunction and apraxia, which prevent reliable physical responses.

2. Understand Apraxia and Motor Dysfunction

Most nonspeaking and minimally speaking students are not silent because they don't have the answer. They're silent because they can't get their bodies to cooperate. Apraxia is a neurological motor disorder that makes it difficult for the brain to send reliable messages to the body. That includes the muscles used for speech, but also the muscles used for pointing, writing, typing, or even sitting still.

When we understand apraxia, we stop seeing non-responsiveness as a lack of intelligence or interest. We begin to see that the ability to think is there and is happening, even if the ability to show it is not.

3. Presume Competence

If there is one mindset shift that changes everything in the homeschooling journey, it is this: presume competence. Assume that your child has age-appropriate intelligence. Assume that they are listening, even when they don't seem to be. Assume that they understand more than they can show.

Presuming competence doesn't mean skipping over foundational academic skills. It means giving students access to grade-level material while still making sure they build the academic foundation they need for the future. Older students require a two-tiered program that respects their intellects while also filling inevitable skill gaps.

Final Thoughts

Homeschooling a nonspeaking or minimally speaking autistic student is a unique and meaningful journey. The path may be different, and progress may look different, but your child is capable. By setting realistic expectations, understanding motor dysfunction and presuming competence, you are laying a strong foundation not only for learning—but for trust, growth, and lifelong connection.