Where to Begin in Classical Education? Is it Too Late??

Q from a parent: I am wondering where to start with older children with various learning disabilities (possible dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, slow working memory and slow processing) and diagnoses (one ADHD, other high functioning autism, both in early teens). It seems over the years we have spent so much time on remediation and other therapies that we have never really gotten to explore more of what classical education offers or at least some of the beautiful aspects of that type of education. Is this even possible?

A. If you have not yet read Simply Classical, I would recommend starting there. We include an especially thorough list of good books for special-needs teens with a reading level (or read-aloud level) between 4th-8th. The book addresses the heart of your comment expressed here:

“It seems over the years we have spent so much time on remediation and other therapies that we have never really gotten to explore more of what classical education offers or at least some of the beautiful aspects of that type of education.”

Exactly. In special education, we often focus so intently on “special” that we neglect “education!” We want richness, beauty, and inspiration for our struggling students. We want more than mere remediation!

As you read Simply Classical, begin both children in lower levels of Latin (Prima, LC 1 or First Form) and in introductory levels of Classical Studies. Do not worry about typical grade levels assigned to these. Just begin at the beginning, and progress from there. Read full responses on our free forum here.