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Life Skills or Academics? How to Plan for High School for Your Neurodivergent Learner
August 2025 | Education
Homeschooling through high school brings a fresh set of questions for every parent—but for those teaching neurodivergent learners, those questions can feel especially overwhelming. One parent recently asked:
“My daughter is entering high school next year, and she has ADHD and a mild intellectual disability. I want to make sure she’s prepared for adult life, but I also don’t want to leave out the academic part entirely. How do I know what to focus on, and what really matters over the next four years?”
It’s a thoughtful, important question—and one that so many homeschooling parents quietly wrestle with. Naturally, there is no one "right" answer but the short version?
You do not have to choose between academics and life skills--you can essentially do both!
Why Not Either/Or?
When homeschooling a neurodivergent teen, it’s easy to feel like you need to decide:
Should I prioritize functional life skills or focus on core academic subjects?
The answer is: Yes... to both.
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You can create a blended approach that supports both daily life readiness and academic growth, adapted to your teen's learning profile, pace, and goals.
Start with the End in Mind
Begin with a few key questions:
What kind of life does he or she want after high school?
Will he or she pursue supported employment, job training, or live at home?
What skills will help him or her be confident, capable, and as independent as possible?
The answers to these questions become your compass for the next four years-- informing the course you teach, the activities you plan, and the goals you set.
If this feels messy or uncertain at times, that doesn't mean you're failing. It means you're homeschooling with wisdom, flexibility, and love.
What Might A Blended High School Plan Look Like?
Here's an example of what a flexible, life-prep-focused high school course load could include:
Subject Area Example Course Titles
Functional Math Personal Budgeting, Grocery Math, Telling Time
Literacy & Communication Practical Reading & Writing, Social Scripts
Science Health & Nutrition, Environmental Awareness
Social Studies Understanding My Community, Current Events
Life Skills Laundry, Cooking, Personal Hygiene
Career Readiness Exploring Jobs, Internships, Resume Building, Welding
Electives Art, Fitness, Home Projects, Computer Literacy or Digital Tools
Real-life experiences count as curriculum.
Trips to the post office, banking errands, volunteer work, and cooking meals are all valuable teaching tools--and they all count!
What About Records and Graduation Requirements?
In most homeschool-friendly states (e.g., Texas, Illinois, Florida), parents set their graduation requirements. You can also issue a diploma based on a plan that reflects your child's strengths and goals. However, if you are homeschooling in other locations, you may need to keep specific records to show you comply with the law. Find out your state's requirement for homeschooling here.
Regardless of your state requirements, keeping records can really help you feel more organized. At a minimum, you will want to keep a record of the following:
A 4-year course overview (record; can be flexible)
A basic transcript (even for life skill courses)
Journals, photos, or checklists as documentation
Here are a few trusted online tools and apps you can use to track and keep records:
Tool / Format Format Key Features
Homeschool Tracker Web-based Attendance, grades, reports/transcripts
Homeschool Planet Web-based Lesson planning, calendar integration, rescheduling
HSRO Web-based Standardized format for official transcript/report
Activity Journal Web-based/mobile Goals tracking, activity logs, subject‑balance, transcripts
Modify™ Mobile app On‑the-go tracking, portfolios, transcript tools. Free trial and then $4.99/month fee
Google Sheets / Trello Free digital tools Custom templates, shared access, flexibility
Printable planners Paper binder Structured paper‑based record keeping
The Big Takaway
If you are navigating high school planning with a neurodivergent student, here's what I want you to know:
You don't have to choose between life prep and academics; your homeschool can (and should reflect both.
It's okay to adjust the pace, content, and method... as you go!
Your teen's path might not look traditional, but it can still be powerful, rich, and filled with growth.
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If you are not smiling at the finish line, you have not truly finished the race!
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LOOKING FOR GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT?
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but it includes our top picks to get you started.
There are several online resources available to support parents planning high school for their neurodivergent teens, including help with curriculum, transcripts, life skills, and post-high school transition:
General Homeschool Planning Resources
HSLDA - Offers legal guidance, transcript templates, articles, and planning tools.
Homeschooling Special Needs of Facebook (Group) - Private support communities like "Homeschooling Kids with Special Needs" or "Homeschooling High School with Special Needs" provide peer advice and shared resources.
Understood.org – Resources for neurodivergent learners.
Homeschooling with Dyslexia – Free articles and guides.
Special Needs & Neurodivergent-Friendly Curricula
Life Skills Reimagined - Offers online modules in life skills, work prep, and independent living for teens with disabilities.
Handbook of Activities on Life Skills - Free, online handbook for teaching life skills to individuals in need of tailored instruction.
Healthy Relationships Curriculum - A comprehensive program with 200 videos and instruction.
Simply Classical - Designed for children with learning challenges; classical education adapted to various ability levels.
CK-12 - Free digital textbooks with interactive simulations and concept maps.
Khan Academy - Free video lessons across subjects, perfect for visual learners.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool – Christian-based, covers PreK-12.
Khan Academy – High-quality courses in math, science, history, and more (secular).
Core Knowledge – Free K-8 curriculum covering history, science, and language arts.
TouchMath – Free sample resources for struggling math learners.
History & Social Studies: The American Yawp, Gutenberg Project (history books)
Language Arts: ReadWorks, LibriVox (free audiobooks)
Transition & Vocational Resources
Wrightslaw – Articles and guides about IDEA transition services and adulthood
ThinkCollege - Resource hub for students with intellectual disabilities interested in postsecondary education
Landmark - Information for the college student who learns differently
Pacer Center - Practical resources for transition planning, IEP goals, and employment prep
School Days to Pay Days - link to an employment planning guide for families of young adults with intellectual disabilities (Dept. of Mass)
Transcript, Credit & High School Planning Tools
Homeschool Tracker – Software that helps you plan, track, and create transcripts—even for nontraditional courses.
HSLDA - Offers legal guidance, transcript templates, special needs consultants, and planning tools.
Discount Curriculum Vendors
Discount Curriculum Vendors
Rainbow Resource Center – One of the largest homeschool suppliers with a huge selection and reviews.
Christianbook.com – Wide selection of Christian and secular homeschool curricula.
Timberdoodle – Customizable kits with hands-on learning.
Homeschool Buyers Club – Discounts on popular curricula.
Curriculum Express – Affordable homeschool bundles and individual courses.
💬 Want a More Personal Touch?
We are here for you!
We are here for you!
At EFM, we offer Parent Coaching, Custom Planning Guides, Transcript Support, Executive Functioning Toolkits, Functional Curriculum List ideas, and a Life Skills High School Planner tailored to neurodivergent teens!
At EFM, we offer Parent Coaching, Custom Planning Guides, Transcript Support, Executive Functioning Toolkits, Functional Curriculum List ideas, and a Life Skills High School Planner tailored to neurodivergent teens!
Are you looking for more community to support your homeschool journey? Consider joining our Facebook group. Connect with like-minded educators, gain encouragement, and access valuable resources—all to help the next generation thrive!
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