Homeschooling a child with disability or learning differences in Australia

There is no separate registration category for children with disability or additional needs. You register for home education in the same way as any other family, and the program you describe is expected to suit your child. What the state regulators say about learning needs differs:

• NSW: The registration guidelines say parents of children with disability and/or additional learning needs may adjust the educational program to meet the child's learning needs, as long as the registration requirements are met. They describe drawing on an appropriate syllabus stage, making adjustments, using assistive technology and, where appropriate, Life Skills outcomes and content. NSW also says parents don't need to notify the department when they change the program to accommodate their child's learning needs, provided the requirements continue to be met.
• Victoria: The VRQA says the learning plan must be appropriate to the child's learning level and suited to their needs, and can be pitched above or below the child's equivalent year level in mainstream school. If it's unreasonable for your child to receive instruction in one of the required learning areas, for example because of disability or an ongoing health condition, the VRQA explains how to seek an exemption for that area and asks you to explain why. Don't include medical records in your application.
• Queensland: The Department of Education says your learning plan should show how the program meets your child's learning needs, and that the educational program should be responsive to the child's changing needs and have regard to their age, ability, aptitude and development. Templates are optional and can be adapted.
• Other states and territories: Contact your home education regulator and ask how they assess learning plans for a child with disability before you apply.

Start from where your child is, not from their age. Describe their strengths and interests, the areas they find hard and the adjustments you'll make, such as shorter sessions, multi-sensory materials, speech-to-text or audiobooks, movement breaks or a predictable routine.

Set goals you can measure and review. A goal like "reads a short decodable text aloud with support" is easier to track and report on than "improve reading". Keep simple records of progress, including small steps, because many regulators ask how you monitor learning.

If your child has reports from a psychologist, paediatrician, speech pathologist or occupational therapist, use their recommendations to shape the plan. You don't need to share the reports themselves unless the regulator asks for them.

The NDIS funds disability-related supports for eligible participants, but it does not fund education itself. The NDIS list of supports that are not NDIS supports includes educational supports for home schooling, along with items such as tutors and school fees, because the education system is responsible for supports whose main purpose is learning.

That doesn't mean a home-educated child loses NDIS supports. A participant's plan may still fund disability-related supports that meet the NDIS funding criteria, such as therapy, which can be relevant whether or not a child attends school. The NDIS Work and study guideline explains how it separates disability supports from education supports.

Because the rules are detailed and have changed in recent years, talk to your NDIS planner, local area coordinator or early childhood partner about your child's plan before you start home educating. Ask them to explain in writing how any support you're relying on fits the current guidelines.

Carer Allowance is a Services Australia payment for people who give extra daily care to a dependent child with disability or a medical condition. For a child under 16, carers may get the payment and a Health Care Card, or the Health Care Card only where care needs are lower. Eligibility doesn't depend on whether the child goes to school, but it does involve a care needs assessment and information from a treating health professional.

The Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme can help some families whose child can't attend the local government school. One of its isolation conditions is a special education need, such as a disability or a learning difficulty needing specialist support that isn't available at the local school, and evidence such as a medical statement or a statement from education authorities is required. Check the current conditions and rates with Services Australia, because AIC has specific living, study and age rules.

If you're worried about your child's learning, development or attention, your GP is a good first stop. A GP can check for other causes such as hearing or vision problems and refer you to a paediatrician, psychologist, speech pathologist or audiologist. The Raising Children Network notes that you don't need a referral to see a psychologist or speech pathologist, but with a GP referral you may be able to claim some costs back through Medicare.

For specific learning disorders such as dyslexia, the Australian Psychological Society says diagnosis needs a formal assessment by a psychologist using standardised tests, after other possible causes have been ruled out. Raising Children also notes that many university psychology clinics offer supervised assessments, which are usually less expensive, and that state SPELD associations can tell you about assessment options.

If you're concerned about ADHD or autism, ask your GP which professionals can assess your child where you live, and about wait times and costs.

One of the strengths of home education is that you can change the pace, the setting and the method. Approaches many families find helpful include:

• Small steps. Break new skills into short units and check understanding before moving on. The Australian Psychological Society suggests presenting material in small units for learners with specific learning disorders.
• Different ways to show learning. Let your child answer orally, draw, build or type rather than always writing by hand.
• Explicit, structured teaching for reading, spelling and maths, with lots of practice and review.
• Assistive technology such as text-to-speech, audiobooks, speech-to-text and calculators.
• Regulation and routine. Visual timetables, movement breaks, a quiet workspace and clear start and finish points can help with attention and sensory needs.
• Following interests. Building lessons around what your child cares about can lift motivation.

Queensland's Department of Education has free learning-at-home inclusion resources covering autism, intellectual disability, physical impairment, vision impairment and students who are Deaf or hard of hearing, which any family can read.

These national and state organisations offer information and, in some cases, helplines, assessments or courses. Many services are free, while others charge fees.

• AUSPELD: the national federation of state SPELD associations, which support people with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. Its site links to each state association.
• Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation (WA): assessment, tutoring referrals and advice for families in Western Australia.
• Amaze: the Victorian autism peak body, which runs Autism Connect, a national autism helpline.
• Autism Association of Australia (formerly Autism Awareness Australia): information for families by life stage and free webinars.
• ADHD Australia: information about ADHD and a list of support groups and helplines.

Local home education groups are also a good source of practical tips, and many have members who home educate children with similar needs.

Home educating a child with additional needs can be rewarding and tiring. Build in breaks, share the load where you can and connect with other parents. If your child's needs change, it's fine to review your approach, bring in outside help or reconsider school. Keep talking to your child's health professionals about what's working.