One Wagga parent says she is not surprised that NSW homeschooling numbers are on the rise.
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Homeschooling registrations in the state increased by more than 50 per cent from 2014 to 2018, according to the NSW Education Standards Authority.
A lack of support in the school system has driven two mothers to educate their children at home.
Homeschooling has become a relief for Laurelle Lewis whose two sons are on the autism spectrum and struggled in mainstream schooling.
"Homeschooling was not my first option; I sent my sons to school, but then they were diagnosed with autism and my eldest was also diagnosed with a learning disability," Ms Lewis said.
"They really struggled in the school environment and with autism, comes social anxieties as well as appointments which meant they were missing out on a lot of the school days.
"In my particular situation, I struggled to get the support that was needed for my children in school and that is why I chose to home-school them."
Ms Lewis said after homeschooling her sons for a period, she chose to send them back to school to see how they would cope.
"I started homeschooling my eldest four years ago and he went back to school for about a year, but once he hit high school it was too much for him," she said.
"With my middle child, I sent him back to school for a little while, probably just over a term, but he really struggled with his mental health, attendance and anxiety.
"We've been through both systems and I have found they are more motivated to learn when they don't feel pressured and they're more responsive and engaged to learning this way."
Ms Lewis said it ultimately came down to choosing what was best for her children.
"I think that both systems can work, but you have to choose what is right for your child as every family is different," she said.
"Homeschooling allows you to cater for your child and schools can't be created for a one size fits all as society has become more diverse.
"Homeschooling or distance education can meet those needs; I don't think one system is necessarily better than the other but it's about ensuring everyone is getting the same opportunities."
Ms Lewis called for more funding for children with special needs to be supported within the education system.
"I don't think there is the funding or the resource in mainstream schools, because when my children were first diagnosed nothing was done at the school," she said.
"It is the funding which is not available, it's about trying to create better systems where every child's needs are met and I appreciate that it is hard and it's not the teachers' fault, but when a child can't integrate because they're struggling there needs to be something in the middle to create better harmony.
"It's not a surprise that homeschooling is on the rise, because I think people with special needs are becoming more accepted and with mental health on the rise and learning disabilities are more frequently diagnosed, parents are becoming desperate looking for other options."
NESA data, from March 2019, showed the 52 per cent rise equated to 2131 additional students being registered for homeschooling.
Another Wagga parent Marion Jones resorted to homeschooling her 13-year-old son as a result of being bullied at his local primary school.
"My very bright child was scared to go to school and now he is excelling at home," Mrs Jones said.
"Originally I was hesitant and nervous about my decision to home-school, but now I know I have made the right decision for my child as he is thriving in so many ways.
Mrs Jones previously told The Daily Advertiser that the NSW schooling system does not factor in children's individual needs.
She said there are over 150 homeschooling families in Wagga and reasons for home education predominantly is around bullying and inadequate support for special needs students, especially autistic students.