If your child has ADHD, autism, anxiety, sensory processing differences, or is refusing to go to school — and you’re wondering whether you can actually do this — this page is for you.
Thousands of families have been exactly where you are. School stopped working. Something had to change. And they needed a solution that didn’t require them to become a teacher overnight.
That’s what Functional Education is built for.
See how your child responds before you decide anything.
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We absolutely love functional education, Fran is amazing!! My 6 year old son is so engaged and focused. We also really like that the classes have a strong Waldorf focus. I can tell that Fran has put a lot of thought and effort into all the classes, we now say "blessing with your fruit snack" all the time. Thank you Fran, I don't think we could have progressed so far with out you.
Such a great platform to engage and our children participated off their chairs. Interactive and a well-rounded approach to home education. A wonderful experience thank you.
Both my school age children age 6 and 12 are absolutely loving Functional Education. It is much more tactile and I find my boys are much more engaged in their own learning. .Both children have conditions that make it more difficult to participate well in the public school setting. I cannot recommend enough.
Functional Education wasn’t designed for the average classroom. It was designed for children who don’t fit the average classroom — and there’s a difference in every part of how we teach.
Fran teaches every single lesson across every subject. Your child will hear the same voice, see the same face, follow the same rhythm every day. For children with ADHD or autism, this consistency isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s one of the most important factors in whether learning actually happens. Research consistently shows that predictable, stable adult relationships reduce anxiety and improve engagement in neurodiverse learners. Functional Education is built on that principle.
Our lessons use high-contrast visuals and a quiet, distraction-free teaching environment. There is no classroom noise, no social pressure, no unexpected transitions. For children who are easily overwhelmed by sensory input — or who simply cannot concentrate in a chaotic space — this makes a measurable difference. We work closely with specialist autism organisations to ensure our approach reflects current best practice for neurodiverse learners.
There is no bell, no class to keep up with, no shame in needing more time. Your child moves through each lesson at their own pace. If they need to pause, rewatch, or take a break, they can. If they’re having a good day and want to push further, they can do that too. For children with variable executive function — a hallmark of ADHD — this flexibility is not a luxury. It’s what makes the difference between a successful learning day and a meltdown.
Each day follows the same structure. Your child knows what comes next. Ppredictability is one of the most powerful tools available for reducing anxiety and supporting executive function in neurodiverse children. Up to two hours of structured lessons per day, plus hands-on activities, gives enough substance to feel real without being overwhelming.
One of the biggest fears parents in your situation share is this: I’m not a teacher. What if I get this wrong?
Here is what a typical Functional Education day looks like for your child: they sit down, they open their lesson, and Fran teaches them. You don’t plan the curriculum. You don’t prepare materials. You don’t stand at a whiteboard trying to remember how to do long division. You set your child up, and Fran takes it from there.
Up to two hours of lessons per day means your child gets a full, structured education. It also means your day isn’t consumed by it. You can be nearby without being the teacher.
One of the things that stops parents in their tracks is the paperwork. Whether you’re in New Zealand or Australia, home educating your child involves a registration or exemption process with your local Ministry or education authority. For most families discovering this for the first time, it sounds daunting.
Because Functional Education already provides a comprehensive, structured programme, we can help. We've helped parents in every state of Australia as well as New Zealand get their home education exemptions approved.
The process is more straightforward than it looks. Just get in touch and we'll help you get the paperwork sorted.
The best way to know whether this will work for your child is to let them try it. Not to read more pages, not to research more programmes. To sit them down, open a lesson, and watch what happens.
That’s what the 7-day free trial is for. No credit card. No commitment. Just seven days of full access so your child can meet Fran, follow a lesson, and you can see for yourself whether this is the right fit.
Most families who try it don’t need much more than that.
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Yes. Many children who struggle at school don’t yet have a formal diagnosis — but their nervous systems are telling them clearly that something isn’t working. Functional Education is designed for children who learn differently, whether or not that difference has a name yet. If your child is struggling, this programme is worth trying.
This is the question almost every parent asks. The short answer is: not with a structured programme in place. Functional Education covers all core learning areas at the appropriate level for your child’s year. Many families find that their child actually progresses faster at home, in an environment where the pace is theirs and the anxiety is lower.
Fran’s teaching style is warm, calm, and consistent. Many parents tell us that children who flatly refused to participate in school activities are willing to try Functional Education — often because the classroom pressure is gone, the sensory environment is controlled, and the same familiar teacher shows up every day. The 7-day trial is the best way to find out. There is nothing to lose.
You can reach Fran directly through Facebook Messenger, or contact us at info@functionaleducation.com. We’re a small team and we respond personally. You are not dealing with a help desk.
Most parents who end up here have been worrying about this for a while. They’ve tried things that didn’t work. They’re cautious, and rightly so. Take the 7 days. Let your child meet Fran. See what happens.
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Questions? Chat directly with the principal on Facebook Messenger.