What Are the Different Types of Schools for Learning Disabilities?

Schools for the learning disabled include private schools, charter schools, home schooling, and colleges that offer services to students with learning disabilities. Parents seeking schools for the learning disabled should explore the pros and cons of each alternative to find the best educational opportunity. Some private schools have experience with these students, while others do not. Setting up schools for the learning disabled in the home presents certain challenges. The National Center for Learning Disabilities does not recommend charter schools for people with learning disabilities, but this alternative might represent a successful learning environment for some students.

Private schools for learning disabilities may be equipped to handle students with learning disabilities and help them reach their highest potential. Educators advise visiting the school to determine if it offers individualized instruction and if specialists are on staff. Research might also reveal which private schools for learning disabilities hold a positive reputation in the community.

Some parents decide to educate their children at home to meet their special needs. This option gives parents the responsibility for promoting the child's educational growth while addressing his or her learning disability. A parent might choose home schooling because of teasing from other children in public schools.

These parents sometimes design lessons on their own or purchase software developed for children with learning disabilities. Online educational courses might also be used, and are commonly available for elementary through secondary school. To avoid social isolation, parents who teach at home sometimes enroll their children in youth sports, clubs, or other activities.

Charter schools represent public schools subject to the same laws regarding services for students with learning disabilities. Part of the public school system, charter schools for learning disabilities usually teach in smaller groups and give parents an alternative public school choice. A study by the National Center for Learning Disabilities found some charter schools for learning disabilities did not meet accepted standards and lacked staffing to handle the needs of these students.

Some colleges offer services for learning disabled students, including revised testing formats and additional time for completing exams. Resource centers provide personal, vocational, and academic counseling to assist these students. These colleges typically ask for documentation showing students have been diagnosed as learning disabled before they use available resources.