Homeschool co-ops are regularly scheduled structured gatherings of families educating their children together in a group setting. The purpose of co-ops is to share the load of teaching, combine resources, and collaborate with individuals who are working towards the same goal.
For homeschool households, an engaging way to encourage community is by setting up or joining a homeschool cooperative program or co-op.
Setting up a homeschool co-op for your autistic or special needs child may have special considerations depending on their skills and abilities. There are advantages and disadvantages to having your co-op focus only on autistic children vs. having a full inclusion program. Sometimes the best solution is to do both! Stay flexible and join forces with others when it makes sense. Consider having special pull-out programs designed for a subset of neurodiverse children who might benefit from using the same curriculum or spending more time working on social and behavioral skills.
Community is the heart of a child’s academic, social, and emotional growth. Whether at a traditional school or in a homeschool setting, all children benefit from connection, socialization, accountability, and team-building. Creating a sense of group collaboration may be the answer for nurturing this fundamental piece of your child’s academic journey. The co-op community will also provide a safe space for caregivers to share stories, gain insight, and receive emotional support from other families who are “in the same boat.”
Lean Into Your Strengths
Perhaps you prefer teaching mathematics over language arts. Or maybe leading extracurriculars is not in your wheelhouse. In a co-op, another team member can foster growth in the areas you seek assistance. At the same time, you may be the one to initiate weekly student social functions, possibly a key piece missing in another individual’s school schedule. Working collectively as a unit to address the unique and individualized needs of each child will help ensure that all domains of the curriculum are being met holistically.
Co-ops allow you to lean into your strengths as a teacher and receive support when needed. They promote relationship building for both the parent/caregiver and the student while inspiring confidence and creativity alike. Typically, co-ops are centered around core academics, but for autistic children, the focus might be on encouraging social skills, sensory exploration, life skills training, or self-regulation techniques. Co-ops can even be as simple as a weekly meet-up at the local park for a picnic with a same-aged peer. The options are endless!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you design and set up a co-op that is the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Define Your Co-op's Purpose and Goals
Start by defining your purpose and mission as a co-op focusing on the special needs of your child. Determine the main objectives and goals for the proposed group:
- How will specialized instruction areas be addressed?
- Which types of movement or sensory breaks will you incorporate throughout the day?
- Do you want to explore field-trip options and provide the children with learning opportunities in varying settings? Will you need additional volunteers for these events?
- How will your co-op support potential speech/language, fine motor, sensory, or visual motor delays?
- Will your co-op cover social/emotional skills or stress management techniques?
- Is there a need to hold a monthly support group for parents of autistic children or children with other developmental delays?
- What environmental modifications will you need to make for desired attention to the task?
- How will you go about implementing your child’s Individualized IEP Plan (IEP) in the co-op?
- Should there be a committee to decide how to make special occasions/parties sensory-inclusive?
- Are you open to allowing related service providers (i.e. speech/physical/occupational therapists, behavioral specialists) to conduct treatment sessions during your co-op school day?
These are all questions that must be answered when deciding the specific goals and objectives for your homeschool group for autistic children.
Build Your Network
The next step is finding a group of families passionate about your mission and who are willing to help fuel this initiative. Utilize social media to market your program. Emphasize that your co-op will provide an inclusive environment and differentiated curriculum specific to autistic children. You may quickly find that other homeschool households in your community are searching for this exact same setting. Instagram and Facebook are excellent platforms to present a snapshot of what unique features your co-op has to offer. You can also visit local autism support groups, along with nearby therapy facilities to search for potential co-op members. Opening up opportunities for playdates, resource sharing, or quick coffee chats to discuss potential possibilities are all ways to grow your group. Don’t feel overwhelmed - start small and let the community grow organically through networking.
Optimize Your Learning Environment
Another factor to decide on is the age groups and developmental levels that you will be working with. It is important to consider how large or small you would like the co-op to be for optimal learning. Autistic students tend to work best in a small and structured environment. Make certain that a sufficient number of adults can actively participate in the learning process to optimize progress. Always account for the inclusivity of backgrounds, perspectives, and different homeschooling philosophies.
Determine a plan for the educational content that will be presented and establish a tentative schedule for classes and activities. Confirm that you are compliant with your local and state homeschooling regulations. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HLDA) provides a state-by-state list of homeschooling laws and regulations.
Choose the location of where the co-op will be primarily housed (ie. libraries, community center, a private home). Remember to be cognizant of auditory and visual sensitivities within your setting (i.e. too loud, too cluttered). Identify any expenses for materials, resources, and space rentals. Many co-ops will include a membership fee to account for these costs.
Additionally, you will want to identify the roles and responsibilities of all members of the co-op (i.e. teachers, administrators, volunteers) and establish the structure of the leadership team. This might involve recruiting local teachers or educational support staff to assist with instruction. Keep in mind, finding individuals that have a strong background in working with students with autism or developmental delays can be a huge plus! It is also critical to develop a code of conduct that details behavior, attendance, and parent involvement. This will help to support a positive and respectful learning environment for all members of the group.
Focus on What Works
Here are a few quick tips to take into consideration when setting up a co-op for autistic children:
- Educational material should be presented in a clear and concise manner
- Allow for movement and sensory breaks throughout the academic day
- Engage students with preferred activities as a reward for completing non-preferred tasks
- Keep activities short, fun, and structured, and stick to a routine
- Include visuals and manipulatives to make learning multi-sensory
- Incorporate calming/regulating activities based on needs
- Use assistive technology when appropriate
- Encourage peer interaction and communication through PLAY
Explore Curriculum Options
Research academic programs to drive your curriculum, such as the ARIS® Academic Readiness Intervention System from STAGES® Learning. The ARIS curriculum will take the guesswork out of meeting new standards and requires minimal preparation and training. It can be used “right out of the box,” and is designed specifically for autistic children.
Join Established Groups
If the process of setting up your co-op seems daunting, know that there are programs already in place that you can join locally or even virtually. Finding an established program is an excellent way to connect, receive, or provide support, and exchange resources efficiently and effectively.
A quick Google search using the terminology “homeschool co-op in (your city)”, “homeschooling groups for autistic children” or “virtual homeschool co-ops” will populate a wide variety of resources. Browsing social media websites to connect with nearby homeschool families looking to add to their community is another tool to guide your search.
Homeschool websites and forums including The Homeschool Mom, Be Wild and Free, and Homeschool.com are additional resources to check out in your co-op search. Keep an eye out when visiting community centers, libraries, and neighborhood blogs, as they will often post upcoming homeschool group information. Lastly, the National Homeschool Association offers conferences and webinars throughout the year to provide guidance and information for homeschool families across the country.
Get Started
Whether you decide to set up your own co-op or join an already existing group, you will cultivate a learning environment centered around community. Through teamwork and building a network, you can incorporate socialization, differentiated academics, diverse multi-sensory learning tools, and extracurricular functions in your daily learning environment. When deciding on a co-op, tailor your approach to meet your child’s specific educational and enrichment needs to the fullest. Ultimately, you know your child and your community best. How will you build your co-op connection?
