LEAH and Special Needs
What is PICC LEAH?
PICC LEAH is a network of parents homeschooling, or thinking about home schooling, their child with special learning needs. PICC LEAH is the special-needs support chapter of NYS LEAH.
What does PICC LEAH consider a child with special learning needs?
A child with special learning needs is a child who has a condition (labeled or not) that causes them to have a learning struggle. Struggles can be big or small, physical or mental, or a combination of any or all of these.
Who can join PICC LEAH?
Parents homeschooling or thinking about homeschooling a child with special learning needs are welcome to join PICC LEAH. We have members who have children with a wide range of conditions (ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, Autism, Blind – Vision Impaired, Dyslexia, Learning Disabled – Learning Differently, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Hearing Impaired, Speech Delay, PDD-NOS, etc).
What resources are available through PICC LEAH?
1. The PICC LEAH Lending Library
PICC LEAH has a special needs lending library for use by its members. The lending library contains a wide variety of books, audio and video tapes, CD’s, CD-ROM’s, DVD’s, and small therapy items which can be borrowed for a small fee. The library contains over 400 special needs items that cover the following areas: ADHD, Hearing Impairment/Deaf, Autism, PDD, Behavior Management, Cerebral Palsy, Special Needs Curriculum, Down Syndrome, Dyslexia, Special Needs Homeschooling, Nutrition, Health, Occupational Therapy, Parenting, General Interest, Physical Therapy, Reading Comprehension, Speech & Language (includes: Auditory/Visual Processing, Articulation, Sequencing, Comprehension, Reasoning, Memory Recall, Language Skills, Social Skills, Life Skills, and many more), Teaching Helps, and Vision Therapy.
2. Bi-Monthly Newsletter
This newsletter contains informative articles, weblinks, and other helpful information.
3. PICC LEAH Confidential On-Line Yahoo Group
The PICC LEAH Confidential On-Line Yahoo Group is by invitation ONLY! It’s purpose is to provide members with 24/7 support. Once a family joins PICC LEAH, they will receive an invite to join this group. This on-line group is confidential and cannot be found via a search of Yahoo Groups.
4. Confidential Membership Directory
PICC LEAH members have the option on being listed in this directory. The directory includes your name, address, phone number, email address, county, school district, dual LEAH chapter, your child’s first name, year of birth, and any diagnoses/label. This allows member families to find other member families homeschooling children with the same of similar diagnoses across the state so that they can network as needed.
5. The Listening Program® by Advanced Brian Technologies
PICC LEAH member families may purchase The Listening Program® at cost (no markup) or access it through the PICC LEAH Lending Library on a first come first serve basis. They are asked to make a suggested donation to NYS LEAH of $50 for required support of the program in lieu of support fees.
6. Phone and email support
PICC LEAH members can get encouragement, advice, and direction via phone and email.
7. Academic Enrichment Programs that award certificates and age/ability appropriate prizes to participating students
PICC LEAH offers the following year-round programs: Champions of the Challenge, a writing program for PICC LEAH students (all ages); PICC of the Month, a program to recognize extraordinary achievements made by PICC LEAH students during any month (all ages); PICC Your Favorite Recipe, a program to encourage life skills/vocational skills for PICC LEAH middle and high school students. During the summer of 2010, the chapter ran the PICC LEAH Summer Challenge which got members to commit to over 300 goals for their children in an effort to drive progress forward during the summer months.
8. Homeschool Discounts through NYS LEAH
PICC LEAH members get discounts of 17% off HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association) membership, 20% off the LEAH Regulatory Manual, and discounted admission to LEAH Conventions,
9. Email notification of special needs related events and regulatory issues
10. NY Special Needs Provider Database
PICC LEAH maintains a database of homeschool friendly NY special-needs service providers.
11. PICC LEAH members receive the quarterly LEAH Messenger newsletter.
Does PICC LEAH have meetings?
No. PICC LEAH is a cyber-chapter supporting families all across New York State.
How do you join PICC LEAH?
If you are interested in joining, a downloadable membership form is available on the PICC LEAH website.
What if I don’t have email access or printing capabilities?
PICC LEAH supports members without email access and/or without printing capability through the good old fashioned U.S. Postal Service. We do ask that if a member does not have email access and/or does not have printing capability that they pay a $45 administrative fee to NYS LEAH for the PICC LEAH chapter to cover the cost of printing, envelopes, and postage of necessary member documents for the year.