Cheri Kay Sessions
HSLDA Special Needs Educational Consultant
Cheri Kay Sessions (PT, DPT) has 15+ years' experience as a pediatric physical therapist, special needs advocate, and homeschooling mom. Cheri Kay's three amazing children were all adopted internationally and have a variety of unique needs. She received her bachelor's from Michigan State University in Athletic Training, a master's degree from the University of Rhode Island in Physical Therapy, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California with an emphasis on pediatrics.
Along with her training as a physical therapist, she trained to provide trauma-informed care and is fluent in American Sign Language. She has experience navigating the school system, the community mental health system, and the health care system both as a parent and a professional. With her unique understanding of how these systems work, she is equipped to advocate for families that also need to access these services.
Cheri Kay enjoys traveling and has spent three years living overseas in the beautiful country of Haiti, serving the Haitian people through various medical and therapy clinics. Along with parenting the children who have stolen her heart, Cheri Kay’s passion is to come alongside other families with resources and encouragement and help them soar into their own success!
Session Titles
1. Tackling Tricky High School Issues: Homeschooling Teens with Special Needs:
This workshop addresses some of the challenges associated with teaching struggling or atypical learners at home in the high school years. Do you have questions such as “How do I award my teen with special needs a diploma?” or “What do I do when my teen with dyslexia can’t read high school-level material?” This workshop discusses alternative coursework, specialized curricula and learning materials, assistive technology, transcript options, possible graduation guidelines, high school programs for special learners, and post-high school options. It will also offers tips for navigating the process of applying for testing accommodations for College Board tests.
2. Teaching Struggling Learners at home- Nuts and Bolts for Success:
This workshop offers practical resources, lists of materials, and curricula to equip you as you homeschool a struggling learner. ideas for designing a unique home instruction program tailored to your child’s specific challenges.
3. You Can Home School Your Neuro-Divergent Learner... Hope and How-to's for Students Who Learn Differently
Unpack the frequently asked questions of how to homeschool struggling learners and those who learn differently. Be encouraged and equipped as this workshop shares diagnostic checklists for struggling learners, discusses common roadblocks homeschooling parents face (and how to navigate them), and gives strategies for achieving success with your children who learn differently.
4. Developing & Drafting SEPs-Student Education Plans:
Have you pulled your child out of public school where he or she used to have an IEP (Individual Education Plan)? In this workshop, you’ll learn the purposes and benefits of an SEP, the homeschool version of an IEP. You’ll receive guidance on drafting your own SEP, explore sample plans, obtain your own template, and leave with a resource list of books to set you and your student up for success.
