Resources for Students with Special Needs Learning from Home

While parents of school aged children are looking at school closures with uncertainty about when things will return to normal, there are many resources being shared for educational activities our kids can work on at home. I've combed through those lists and pulled out the resources that I feel work best for our kids with special needs. If you have any other resources that you would like to add, please leave a comment below and I'll share it!

Social story on COVID-19

COVID-19 Coloring Sheet

COVID-19 Activity Book

Google Tools for Students who need extra supports

ACTIVITIES:

1. The OT Toolbox
Free resources for working on various OT skills.
https://www.theottoolbox.com/

2. Your Therapy Source
Links to various free (and some paid) resources and worksheets for kids.
https://www.yourtherapysource.com/

3. Scholastic
Free lessons you can use at home. Will be updated. Elementary age.
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html?caching

4. Practical Money Skills
Some lessons and activities for older students to learn about money skills. https://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/teach/lesson_plans/special_needs

5. Time 4 Learning
This page is specific to homeschooling students with special needs. https://www.time4learning.com/homeschooling/special-needs/

6. Chalk Face Project
Variety of lesson plans for all age groups.
https://www.chalkface.com/products/SpecialNeeds/

7. BoardMaker Online
Create visual schedules with these pre-made squares. Many are free right now!
https://www.boardmakeronline.com/

8. Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
Great ideas and techniques for families to work on early intervention services at home.
https://ectacenter.org/topics/disaster/familiesathome.asp

9. Early Childhood Family Activities

FOR OLDER STUDENTS/ALL AGES:

1. Supported Decision Making Resources from The Arc Tennessee

This may be a great time to look through these resources and see if there are any your child may want to work through.

https://www.thearctn.org/Assets/Docs/Supported_Decision_Making_Resources.pdf

2. Kahn Academy

They are providing free resources and a daily schedule sample for students ages 4-18: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSZhOdEPAWjUQpqDkVAlJrFwxxZ9Sa6zGOq0CNRms6Z7DZNq-tQWS3OhuVCUbh_-P-WmksHAzbsrk9d/pub

https://www.khanacademy.org/

3. IXL.com

This math resource is free right now and goes all the way through high school.

https://www.ixl.com/

4. Audible 
Audible has made hundreds of book titles for all ages free to listen. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/radio/2020-03-20/audible-just-made-hundreds-of-titles-completely-free-to-help-during-coronavirus-crisis/?fbclid=IwAR3Gu0gifRHxAy2LWYUH2SlyxANDx4Jsw09nXaMb832WZHiHNtiDIL-iSDU

5. New York Public Library
Download over 300,000 books for free from the NYPL. https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/you-can-now-download-over-300-000-books-from-the-nypl-for-free-031820

6. Tennessee STEM Innovation Network
TN Department of Education has teamed up with TSIN to create STEAM resources for students to try at home.
https://www.tsin.org/covid-19-steam-resource-hub

7. Virtual School Day
Nearly 200 free, live K-12 classes available all day long intended to help parents fill their children’s day with enriched learning. Some popular classes are Intro to Spanish for Kids, Coolest Women in History, Java Programming Basics, and The Story of Your Favorite Fairy Tales.
Virtual School Day

VIDEOS:

1. ABCmouse Early Learning Academy
If you don’t already subscribe to ABC mouse, here is the YouTube channel that has the songs and learning videos featured in the program. This is great for students still working on letters and sounds.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPvEbO2bI5x1MVLUuRJoZXg   

2. Art for Kids Hub
This is a GREAT channel for children to learn how to DRAW anything. They have a lot of easy drawings, but they have some challenging ones for older kids. This is so easy to follow and my kids don’t get overwhelmed. 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5XMF3Inoi8R9nSI8ChOsdQ 

3. Brave Wilderness  
FOR ALL THE ANIMAL AND ADVENTURE LOVERS. (This might not be a great channel for kids who are afraid of creepy bugs or dangerous animals). 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6E2mP01ZLH_kbAyeazCNdg 

4. Crash Course Kids 
Elementary Learning – Engineering, Earth Science, Natural Resources, Life Science, Physical Science, Space Science, and more.  Cute and short videos! 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCONtPx56PSebXJOxbFv-2jQ

5. Free School
Elementary Learning! So many subjects. Lots of great history and animal videos. 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCebMFnw6WxozGmqGekJHOJg 

6. FreeSchool Early Birds
Just like Free School but for toddlers and preschoolers! Super cute videos!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3OV62x86XHwaqsxLsuy8dA 

7. Homeschool Pop 
These are Elementary videos about History, Science, Math, Seasons, Holidays, States, etc
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfPyVJEBD7Di1YYjTdS2v8g/playlists 

8. Joseph’s Machines 
This is a funny channel of amazing machines that Joseph makes to help solve problems and make his life easier. It’s VERY creative and hilarious. For elementary and for older kids who enjoy creating. 

https://www.youtube.com/user/allonewordplease/featured

9. Mr. DeMaio 

This man is a teacher that posts funny learning videos using puppets. Elementary and Junior High age. 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwyVRKfytvjSF6q5s7noKZQ

10. SciShow Kids 
Cute Elementary Science Videos.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRFIPG2u1DxKLNuE3y2SjHA 

11. StorylineOnline 
Great channel where people read books aloud to children. 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnBdzaRy-Ky9Vh54XJlFz1Q

12. Netflix
A list of 150+ educational shows on Netflix.
https://homeschoolhideout.com/educational-shows-on-netflix/

HELPFUL SMARTPHONE APPS

Accessibility - Apple Store Link - Apple has provided a full store of accessibility themed applications. 

Accessibility Scanner (Android) - Accessibility Scanner is a tool that suggests accessibility improvements for Android apps without requiring technical skills. Just open the app you want to scan, then tap the Accessibility Scanner button to find items in the app that might benefit from accessibility improvements.

Stepping Stones (Apple)- This simple app allows users to create visual guides - or ‘paths’ - using their own photos, so as to make sense of daily routines and schedules or stories. These visual supports help to increase independence and flexibility.

Google Keep (Apple & Android)- Free to-do list app from Google. Create notes through text, drawings and pictures.  Hacks and uses for students with Dyslexia - Google Keep Hacks

Google's Project Euphonia (Test Phase)- 3 new accessibility efforts to help people with disabilities.

Powerful mobile apps for those with disabilities (Website list)- Unsure of what app may be suitable for a specific disability? This site lists apps based off of disability.