SIMPLY CLASSICAL

Classical Education for Students with Special Needs

HOW TO GET STARTED

SIMPLY CLASSICAL PLACEMENT FAQ

Parents of children in these categories have expressed appreciation for the progress and success of their children learning from the Simply Classical Curriculum:

• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Auditory Processing Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cerebral Palsy
• Developmental Coordination Disorder
• Down Syndrome
• Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia
• Dyslexia
• Epilepsy
• Executive Function Disorder
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD/FAE)
• Global Developmental Delay
• Hearing Disorders
• Intellectual Disability
• Language Disorders

• Memory Weaknesses
• Mental Illness of Childhood or Adolescence
(Depressive Disorders, Mood Disorders,
Bipolar Disorder)
• Minimally Verbal and Nonverbal
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Reactive Attachment Disorder
• Seizure Disorders
• Sensory Integration Disorder, Sensory
Processing Disorder
• Social Communication Disorder
• Specific Learning Disorder
• Speech Disorders
• Vision Disorders
• Visual Processing Disorder

If your child scores “Yes” in 100% of the Readiness Skills across all categories, give the assessment for the next higher level.

When he scores “Yes” or “Emerging” in approximately 80% of each category in the Readiness Skills, teach the level.

If your child scores “No” in more than 20% of the Readiness Skills across most categories, administer the skills assessment from previous levels, until you find a level for which he appears ready. When he scores “Yes” or “Emerging” in approximately 80% of the readiness skills, teach the level.

If you know that your student has gaps in his learning, needs to build confidence, or requires a significantly slower pace, feel free to begin with a lower level. You may wish to increase the pace and then advance him more quickly to the next level when possible.

If he does not yet score 80% even in Level A, begin Level A. When you order Level A, you will receive a list of “Skills to Develop” with suggested activities for each category. Incorporate these activities into your daily schedule.

If he is weak in only one category, you might consider beginning the higher level with concurrent work in his weaker areas. You can adapt for his weaker areas, even as you teach him in his areas of strength. See the assessment and modification chapters in Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child for detailed suggestions. A consultation with a specialist might be helpful to evaluate specific concerns. For example, an occupational therapist (OT) may assist with fine-motor or sensory concerns, a physical therapist (PT) for gross-motor or coordination delays, or a speech and language pathologist (SLP) for speech and language difficulties.

If you notice especially strong skills in a given category, you can provide enrichment activities in these areas to further nurture your child’s abilities and talents. When you order your package, you will find “Skills to Develop” for each level. Emphasize the enjoyable enrichment activities for the corresponding area of your student’s strengths.

MEET CHERYL SWOPE

The Creator of the Simply Classical Program

With a master’s degree in special education, Cheryl holds lifetime K-12 state teaching certifications in learning disabilities and behavior disorders. Cheryl and her husband adopted boy/girl twins and homeschooled the children through high school. Both twins have autism, learning disabilities, and schizophrenia. Now young adults, their enduring love of literature, history, and Latin inspire Cheryl to share the hopeful message that a classical Christian education offers benefits to any child.

Buy Cheryl's Book

HEAR FROM OUR EXPERTS

Autism and the Classical Christian School

Eleanor Bates Moody, a student at Westminster School in Alabama, selected the topic of “Classical [...]

Abram Came Back

“I wish people would be more blunt with me,” my son said. “What do you [...]

Glimpses of Purpose

“What are we going to do about school for her?” This was among the first [...]

A Passionate Pursuit of Learning

Tears streamed down my face and I whooped for joy when the text came in. [...]

Letter from the Editor: Summer 2023

In 1946, for the preface to How Heathen Is Britain?, C. S. Lewis shared this [...]

From the Dark Side to the Light Side: Moral Imagination

I once rescued my autistic grandson from a pack of bullies at church, so I [...]

In Weakness, Strength

Perhaps our children with special needs are not always at a disadvantage. Perhaps their mental, [...]

Two Mothers with a Shared Hope

From Cheryl As families and teachers can attest, the impact of autism and related conditions [...]

Read More Articles

GET the Simply Classical Journal

The Simply Classical Journal is a free publication from Memoria Press featuring the Simply Classical product line and articles from experts on a range of topics.

Register for our simply classical online courses

Check out our Simply Classical online courses with small class sizes and appropriate pacing – for students that need more time to master the material, and for students eager for classmates!