25 Most Popular Homeschool Curriculums for ADHD and Autism

When I first started as an advocate, my own child was still quite small. He was only in preschool, so until I had worked with a few clients, my experience level was only preschool IEPs. And certainly nothing about homeschooling a child with autism or ADHD.

And, I was so gung-ho about advocating for your child, I wanted everyone to “fight every battle” and “force the school to provide what your child is entitled to” and all that kinda stuff. Things like a homeschool curriculum for ADHD or autism weren’t on my radar–I’m sure I didn’t even know they existed!

But then, after a few clients, reality set in. I had one client who was a single mom working two jobs. Several moms were fighting IEP battles while caring for an aging parent. One was a caregiver to her husband and had 2 boys with IEPs.

It became clear that not every family can “fight every battle every time.” Sometimes you look for other options. Parents look for a different route, because they just don’t have it in them to fight with the school anymore.

I get that.

And, homeschooling is one of those options.

For the purposes of this article, when I’m talking about homeschooling, I am talking about true homeschooling. You have withdrawn your child from your local school district (LEA) and have not enrolled them in any other educational venue.

I say this because cyber learning and cyber charters are a “thing.” And, in most states, charter schools are considered public schools and receive tax money.

They are required to provide IEPs and 504s, just like your brick and mortar schools are.

So, if that is you, you are enrolling in a cyber charter, then you don’t choose your curriculum. You are going to go through the IEP process just like you always have.

But, your child will remain at home with you, and so I also get why some people call it “homeschooling.”

I still get inquiries all the time from homeschooling families. Over the years, these have been the most frequently mentioned curricula for ADHD and Autistic Students.

Homeschooling a child with ADHD or autism can be a challenging task. Finding the right curriculum that caters to their unique learning needs is crucial. Traditional curriculums that rely on textbooks, worksheets, and quizzes may not be the most effective approach for children with ADHD or autism.

Parents need to consider their child’s individual needs and learning style when choosing a homeschool curriculum. Hands-on learning and shorter lessons may work better for children with ADHD or autism.

It is also important to provide a learning environment that is free from distractions and allows for movement and fidgeting.

Cost of Homeschool Curriculum for Autism and ADHD

When homeschooling a child with ADHD or autism, choosing the right curriculum can be a challenging task. Parents need to consider several factors to ensure that the curriculum meets their child’s specific needs.

One of those factors is cost. These programs are not free which of course puts lower income families at a disadvantage. It can be a real financial hardship for a parent to stop working and do homeschooling instead. To then pay hundreds of dollars per child for this, might be too much to bear.

At the time this was published, these prices were accurate. They may have changed.

The cost of homeschooling curricula can vary widely depending on the program, the number of subjects covered, and whether the curriculum is digital or includes physical materials.

How Much Does a Homeschool Curriculum Cost?

Here’s a breakdown of the average costs for some of the popular homeschooling curricula for children with ADHD and autism:

1. Time4Learning

• Cost: Around $24.95 per month for grades K-8, and $34.95 per month for high school.
• Notes: Offers discounts for siblings and an option for an annual payment that could save some money.

2. All About Reading/All About Spelling

• Cost: Each level ranges from $100 to $150, depending on whether you purchase new or used materials. There may also be additional costs for supplemental materials.
• Notes: You typically buy each level separately, and the materials can often be reused for multiple children.

3. Saxon Math

• Cost: $100 to $150 per level, which includes a student book, a teacher’s manual, and often a test booklet.
• Notes: Saxon Math materials can sometimes be found used for lower prices.

4. Moving Beyond the Page

• Cost: $250 to $600 per year, depending on the package and whether you purchase digital or physical materials.
• Notes: There are different packages based on age, grade level, and subject focus.

5. Oak Meadow

• Cost: $160 to $500 per year, depending on the grade level and subject package.
• Notes: Offers options for printed or digital versions of the curriculum, with the printed version usually costing more.

6. Life of Fred

• Cost: Around $16 to $50 per book.
• Notes: This math curriculum consists of a series of books, and you can buy them one at a time or in sets.

7. Khan Academy

• Cost: Free.
• Notes: Khan Academy offers a full range of subjects at no cost, making it a popular supplemental resource.

8. Handwriting Without Tears

• Cost: Approximately $12 to $40 per workbook, depending on the level.
• Notes: Additional teaching resources and manipulatives may cost more.

9. Simply Charlotte Mason

• Cost: Varies, but a full year’s curriculum can range from $200 to $400.
• Notes: Costs depend on the specific books and materials chosen for the curriculum.

10. TeachTown

• Cost: Approximately $30 to $60 per month for a subscription.
• Notes: Pricing may vary based on the number of users and any additional features required.

11. Autism Helper Curriculum

• Cost: Around $100 to $300, depending on the specific set or bundle of resources.
• Notes: Pricing can vary based on the number of subjects and materials included.

12. TouchMath

• Cost: $100 to $300 for a complete kit, depending on the grade level.
• Notes: Additional manipulatives or workbooks may be needed.

13. Sonlight Curriculum

• Cost: Ranges from $400 to $900 for a full year, depending on the grade level and the number of subjects covered.
• Notes: Offers various packages, and discounts may be available.

14. Starfall Education

• Cost: Free for the basic version, or $35 per year for a family membership.
• Notes: The family membership provides access to a broader range of content.

15. Unique Learning System

• Cost: Approximately $400 to $800 per year.
• Notes: This is a subscription-based service, and pricing can depend on the specific package or level chosen.

16. Boom Cards

• Cost: Free to around $35 per year for a premium membership.
• Notes: You may also purchase individual decks, which generally cost between $1 and $5 each.

17. Reading Eggs

• Cost: About $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year.
• Notes: Offers a free trial period to start.

Average Cost Range for Homeschooling Curriculum:

• For a basic curriculum: $200 to $500 per year.
• For a more comprehensive, multi-subject curriculum: $600 to $1,500 per year.

Additional Considerations:

• Supplemental Materials: Additional costs for manipulatives, books, and teaching aids can add $100 to $300 per year.
• Subscriptions: Some programs offer monthly subscriptions, which can range from $10 to $100 per month, depending on the level and features.
• Free Resources: Utilizing free resources like Khan Academy or public library books can help lower costs significantly.

These costs can vary based on your child’s specific needs, the grade level, and any discounts or promotions available.

Top Homeschool Curriculums for ADHD

When it comes to homeschooling children with ADHD or Autism, finding the right curriculum can be a challenge. Here are some top homeschool curriculums that have been proven to work well for children with ADHD and Autism.

And, I also want to add–my own headline for this article is making me twitch. But, I looked it up and it is correct.

For homeschooling children with ADHD, some of the most popular curriculums and resources include:

1. Time4Learning

• Why it’s popular: It provides a self-paced, interactive online curriculum with multimedia lessons that are engaging and can hold the attention of kids with ADHD. It’s also flexible, allowing parents to customize learning to their child’s pace and needs.

2. All About Reading/All About Spelling

• Why it’s popular: This curriculum is multi-sensory and incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning strategies, which can be very helpful for children with ADHD who often benefit from a variety of teaching methods.

3. Saxon Math

• Why it’s popular: Saxon Math provides a structured approach with repetitive practice, which can help children with ADHD to retain information and build mastery over time. The spiral approach to learning is also effective because it frequently revisits previously learned concepts, helping reinforce memory retention.

4. Moving Beyond the Page

• Why it’s popular: This curriculum emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning which can be more engaging for kids with ADHD. It’s designed to be highly interactive and allows for exploration and creativity, which can keep a child with ADHD interested.

5. Oak Meadow

• Why it’s popular: Oak Meadow offers a more relaxed, nature-based approach that includes both traditional and creative learning strategies. This curriculum encourages outdoor activities and experiential learning, which can help children with ADHD by allowing them more physical movement and less time sitting at a desk.

6. Life of Fred

• Why it’s popular: Life of Fred is a story-based math curriculum that teaches through engaging narratives. It is often appealing to kids who struggle with traditional math approaches and can help children with ADHD by keeping them entertained while they learn.

7. Homeschooling with Khan Academy

• Why it’s popular: Khan Academy provides free online courses that are self-paced and cover a wide range of subjects. It uses videos and interactive exercises which can help maintain the focus of a child with ADHD. Parents can also use it to supplement other curriculums.

8. Handwriting Without Tears

• Why it’s popular: This program uses a multi-sensory approach to teach handwriting, which can help children with ADHD who struggle with fine motor skills or who find traditional handwriting exercises frustrating.

9. Simply Charlotte Mason

• Why it’s popular: The Charlotte Mason method focuses on short, varied lessons and encourages the use of living books (books that are interesting and engaging, written in narrative style) instead of dry textbooks. This can be beneficial for children with ADHD who have trouble focusing for long periods.

10. Math-U-See

• Why it’s popular: Math-U-See uses a hands-on, manipulative-based approach to teaching math. The curriculum is designed to help children see math in a visual way, which can be particularly helpful for children with ADHD who may need a more concrete understanding of abstract concepts.

These curriculums are popular among homeschooling families with children who have ADHD because they offer flexibility, interactive learning, multi-sensory approaches, and individualized pacing that can cater to the unique needs of these children.

Homeschool Curriculum for Autism

For homeschooling children with autism, here are some of the most popular curricula and resources:

1. ABC Mouse

• Why it’s popular: This online program offers interactive lessons in reading, math, science, and art designed for younger children (ages 2-8). The visuals and auditory feedback can be engaging for children with autism, and parents can monitor their progress.

2. Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool

• Why it’s popular: This is a free, online curriculum that covers all subjects from PreK to high school. It’s flexible and offers short, manageable lessons which can be adapted to the child’s pace. It also allows for repetition and reinforcement, which can be helpful for children with autism who may need more practice to master a concept.

3. TeachTown

• Why it’s popular: Designed specifically for children with autism and other special needs, TeachTown uses evidence-based practices like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and provides engaging, visual lessons. The program includes social skills and adaptive behavior lessons, which are often key areas of focus for children with autism.

4. Autism Helper Curriculum

• Why it’s popular: This curriculum is designed by a special education teacher and is tailored specifically to the needs of children with autism. It offers a wide range of resources, including literacy, math, and life skills, and uses task boxes and hands-on activities that can engage children with autism and help them learn through structured, repetitive tasks.

5. Time4Learning

• Why it’s popular: Like with ADHD, Time4Learning is also popular for homeschooling children with autism because it is customizable, self-paced, and includes interactive multimedia lessons. The visual and auditory components can help engage children with autism, and the program allows for frequent repetition and practice, which is often necessary for these learners.

6. Social Thinking Curriculum

• Why it’s popular: This program focuses specifically on social skills development, which is often a critical area for children with autism. It provides structured lessons on understanding social cues, emotions, and appropriate social behavior. The curriculum is available in different levels and includes activities, stories, and exercises.

7. Handwriting Without Tears

• Why it’s popular: This curriculum uses a multi-sensory approach to teach handwriting and fine motor skills. The activities are designed to be engaging and straightforward, which can be helpful for children with autism who might have difficulties with traditional handwriting programs or fine motor skills.

8. TouchMath

• Why it’s popular: This curriculum uses a multi-sensory, touch-based approach to teaching math, which can be effective for children with autism. TouchMath provides visual and tactile reinforcement for math concepts, making abstract ideas more concrete and accessible.

9. Khan Academy Kids

• Why it’s popular: Khan Academy Kids offers a free, interactive app that provides lessons in various subjects, including reading and math, for younger children. The program is self-paced, uses engaging characters and colorful graphics, and provides a high degree of repetition, which can benefit children with autism.

10. Sonlight Curriculum

• Why it’s popular: Sonlight uses a literature-based approach that includes lots of reading aloud, which can be beneficial for children with autism who struggle with social interaction. The curriculum can be tailored to the child’s specific needs and interests, allowing for a more personalized approach.

11. Starfall Education

• Why it’s popular: This program provides interactive lessons in reading and math, which can be particularly useful for children with autism who benefit from visual and auditory learning. The engaging animations and interactive elements can keep children motivated and focused.

12. Math-U-See

• Why it’s popular: Math-U-See uses a hands-on approach with manipulatives to teach math concepts. This curriculum can be very effective for children with autism who need a more concrete understanding of abstract math concepts.

13. Reading Eggs

• Why it’s popular: Reading Eggs offers a fun and engaging way to teach reading, with interactive activities, songs, and games. It’s highly visual and provides immediate feedback, which can help keep children with autism engaged and motivated.

14. Boom Cards

• Why it’s popular: Boom Cards are interactive, self-checking digital task cards that provide immediate feedback. They are highly customizable, which allows parents and educators to create or select activities that specifically target the learning needs of a child with autism.

15. Unique Learning System

• Why it’s popular: This is a comprehensive, standards-based curriculum specifically designed for students with special needs, including autism. It offers differentiated instruction and provides access to age-appropriate content at various learning levels. It also integrates visual supports, data collection, and progress monitoring tools, which are essential for tracking progress in students with autism.

These curriculums are popular for homeschooling children with autism because they provide structure, flexibility, and customization that can address the unique needs of these learners. They also incorporate a variety of learning modalities (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic) that can help children with autism better engage with and retain the material.