by Douglas Black

Created on: December 08, 2011   Last Updated: December 09, 2011

When it comes to children with special needs, parents must often make the difficult kind of decisions, like, whether they want their child to be placed into a private, “Inclusive” educational system, or a traditional “Mainstream” classroom setting.

Unfortunately, this isn't always the easiest choice, especially since there are so many strong arguments that advocate the benefits of both inclusive and mainstream education.  As a parent, we just want to make the right choice, hoping that it will provide our children with the best chance of living a normal, healthy, and happy life.

So, how does a parent not mainstream a student with special needs?

According to Federal law in the US, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.), all public schools are required to provide free education, guaranteeing that all students with special needs receive instruction that meets their individual and unique needs.

However, this being said—not everything is as simple as what the law dictates. Each child with special needs have very unique learning requirements, and they each interact very differently in a social atmosphere like public school.

Parents that want an alternative to mainstreaming can consider the option of homeschooling.  Homeschooling is an accepted method which involves either a parent or a private tutor to come into the home to provide the necessary material to facilitate an approved curriculum. 

Benefits of homeschooling for a special needs student include:  Working in a familiar environment, students are likely t be more at ease within their own home.  Homeschooling also allows the teacher (usually the parent) to teach at a pace that is comfortable for the student; taking breaks when its apparent there is a lack of focus or acceptance of the given material.  Lastly, parents don’t have to be worried about what might happen at school—fire alarm drill, lock-downs, and a plethora of other events are avoided. 

Another avenue to take, although costly, is private schooling. This form of inclusive education, involves sending your child to a facility that has teachers and material designed specifically for your child’s needs. Other students; also, will have same or similar needs, which can lessen or eliminate the chances of your child from undergoing any of the social trappings of a mainstream environment.  Again, material and delivery can be adjusted and paced to

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