Navigating Unschooling and Homeschooling with Neurodivergent Children
For many parents, the traditional school system isn’t always the best fit for their children. This is especially true for neurodivergent children, who often have unique learning styles, sensory needs, and social-emotional preferences that aren’t fully supported in conventional educational environments. Whether by choice or necessity, many families turn to home-schooling or unschooling as a way to create a more flexible, individualised learning experience.
If you feel that unschooling or home-schooling is in your family’s future, you are not alone. A study done by Aspect Australia showed that 78% of children in home education were previously at a mainstream school and that 43% stated that family stress levels had decreased as a result of the decision to home educate. The 2025 Autism Awareness Australia Parent/Carer Survey states that the number of parents who reported home-schooling their child. This number has doubled in the 10 years since the last survey.
The pressures and reasons for sending your child to mainstream vs non-mainstream education are wide and varied, and each family needs to make the decision that is best suited to their child and personal situation. I will write more about our personal experience of unschooling (and a HUGE reluctance on my behalf to ever home-school!) in a future post. I have shared some tips and resources below and hope they are helpful.
Enjoy!
Here are some key considerations and practical tips to help you support your neurodivergent child in a home-based learning environment.
1. Understanding Your Child’s Learning Style
Every neurodivergent child learns differently. Some thrive with hands-on activities, while others prefer auditory or visual learning. Take time to observe how your child engages best with the world and tailor their education accordingly. Interest-led learning can be especially powerful—if your child loves Minecraft, for example, you can incorporate math, engineering, and storytelling into their play. Did you know that there is also a Minecraft Education platform for families? This article by Reframing Autism as some great resources on providing neuro-affirming education.
2. Embracing Flexibility
One of the greatest benefits of home-schooling is the ability to adapt. Some days, your child may be eager to explore a new topic, while other days, they might need a more relaxed pace. Structured curriculums can be helpful, but rigid schedules often don’t work for neurodivergent learners. Allow for breaks, movement, and self-directed exploration.
Are you supporting an ADHD-er on their home-schooling journey? Check out Dr Lou Brown’s Thriving with ADHD website. My Care Space also have this excellent resource on supporting families on their ADHD journey.
3. Creating a Sensory-Supportive Environment
Traditional classrooms can be overwhelming due to bright lights, loud noises, and crowded spaces. At home, you have the ability to curate a sensory-friendly environment. Consider noise-canceling headphones, flexible seating options, fidget tools, or dim lighting to accommodate your child’s needs.
Are you supporting a PDA-er on their home-schooling journey? Check out the work of Kristy Forbes on her website or Facebook page. She is an Australian-based educator who focuses her work on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
4. Encouraging Autonomy and Self-Advocacy
Neurodivergent children often benefit from having control over their learning process. Involve your child in planning their education, from choosing topics of interest to setting daily goals. Teaching self-advocacy skills—such as identifying when they need a break or requesting accommodations—empowers them for lifelong success.
5. Finding Community and Support
Home-schooling doesn’t have to mean isolation. Seek out co-ops, online groups, or local meet-ups for neurodivergent home-schoolers. These spaces provide social opportunities for your child and support for you as a parent navigating this path.
In Victoria and South Australia, homeschooling support can be found via the Home Education Network (HEN). They have put together a comprehensive list of resources for navigating your home-school journey and you can check out their groups page here.
6. Redefining Success
Traditional schooling often measures success through grades and standardised testing. In a home learning environment, success can look different—it might be a breakthrough in social skills, mastering a new skill, or simply feeling more confident in their abilities. Celebrate progress in all its forms.
We love the work of the I CAN Network. Their YouTube channel, I CAN TV, showcases positive transformations of young Autistic and neurodiverse Australians.
7. Prioritising Mental Health and Well-being
Learning should not come at the expense of mental health. If a curriculum or approach is causing stress, it’s okay to pivot. Make space for joy, play, and rest. Remember, education is a journey, not a race. This also applies to parents and carers stepping into the role of educator. It is not a good fit for everyone (I can attest to this!) and there may be online or local tutoring opportunities that help support your family.
Home-schooling and unschooling neurodivergent children require patience, creativity, and a willingness to adapt. But at its core, it’s about giving your child the space to learn in a way that truly honours who they are. By fostering a supportive, flexible, and interest-driven environment, you’re not only helping them learn—you’re helping them thrive.
Our biggest tip, if it all gets too much, take the pressure off!
