Can nontraditional learning work for my child?
When one-size-fits-all doesn't fit
Recently, a parent told to me that while he is interested in pursuing options like microschools for his 10-year-old daughter, he isn’t sure she can be successful in that environment. She was diagnosed with both ADHD and dyslexia last year and has an individualized education plan (IEP) in her current public school. I’ve heard versions of his fear while talking with other parents.
What about the services she gets in school now? Will a microschool be able to support her the same way? Is she going to fall behind, or will she get even more anxious about school if we make this change?
In recent years, the microschooling movement has gained significant attention for its potential to provide personalized, flexible, and student-directed approaches to education. While microschools are not a new concept, they have become increasingly popular as a solution for students who learn differently. This is particularly true for neurodiverse learners who have unique learning needs that may not be met in a traditional school setting.
Personalized learning and neurodiversity
First, let's define what we mean by "neurodiverse learner." Neurodiversity refers to the natural variations in human brain function and behavior. This includes individuals with conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. Neurodiverse learners require individualized approaches to education that recognize and accommodate their unique needs. Unfortunately, traditional school settings often struggle to provide the support these students need to thrive academically and socially.
One of the biggest challenges that neurodiverse learners face in traditional public schools is the "one-size-fits-all" approach to education. Classroom environments are often geared towards the needs of the typical student, which can leave neurodiverse learners struggling to keep up with the pace of the curriculum. Additionally, traditional schools often fail to provide individualized accommodations, such as assistive technology, specialized instruction, or flexible schedules, that can help neurodiverse learners succeed.
The microschooling movement is creating solutions for neurodiverse learners by providing a personalized, flexible, and student-directed approach to education. Microschools are small, independent schools that typically serve fewer than 150 students. They are often designed to meet the specific needs and interests of a particular group of students, such as those with learning differences. This allows microschools to provide individualized attention and support to each student.
“My child feels understood”
One of the benefits of microschooling for neurodiverse learners is the ability to tailor the curriculum to their unique learning needs. Microschools often offer project-based learning, which allows students to learn through hands-on, experiential activities that are tailored to their interests and strengths. Additionally, the learning guides/teachers within microschools may be trained to work with neurodiverse learners and can provide targeted support and accommodations. One parent recently described her son’s experience in a microschool:
He had struggled for years in school. Never feeling like he fit in, always aware that he learned differently than the other kids. After just a few hours in his new school, he said he finally felt like he was “home.” People get him there, and he can just be himself. My child feels understood there.
Another benefit of microschooling for neurodiverse learners is the ability to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Microschools are often designed to be community-driven, with a focus on fostering relationships and social-emotional learning. This can be particularly important for neurodiverse learners who may struggle with social interactions in traditional school settings.
The challenges
Despite the many benefits of microschooling for neurodiverse learners, there are also some challenges to consider. One of the main challenges is cost. Microschools are often private, and therefore require tuition or fundraising to cover operating costs. In some states, funding is available through mechanisms like Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and Tax Credit Scholarships to help parents cover tuition costs.
Additionally, the small size of microschools can limit the variety of courses and extracurricular activities that are available to students. However, there are increasingly more options available for enrichment activities, courses, sports, and clubs as part of the microschooling movement.
One significant challenge is simply a lack of awareness that microschooling is an option. More needs to be done to offer parents the tools they need to understand innovative learning models, find them in their area, and access available funding.
The microschooling movement is providing solutions for neurodiverse learners who have unique learning needs that are not met by traditional public schools. While there are some challenges to consider, the benefits are increasingly clear. I highly recommend taking a look at the resources below to learn more about how both microschooling and homeschooling are meeting the needs of neurodiverse learners.
