Dr. Rochelle Matthews-Somerville is a distinguished special needs educational consultant, homeschooling advocate, and mother of six, renowned for her expertise in supporting families of children with unique learning and behavioral challenges. As the President and CEO of EFM Educational Consultants and Team Leader of the Special Needs Educational Consultants at the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), she has dedicated over 25 years to empowering individuals with disabilities to become confident, lifelong learners. Based in Charles County, Maryland, Rochelle, alongside her husband, Nate, has homeschooled their six children—five boys and one girl—for nearly 15 years, successfully guiding their eldest to graduate in 2021 and pursue mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland.
Rochelle holds an M.S. in Special Education, focusing on Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome and Behavior Disorders, and a Ph.D. in Psychological and Cultural Studies, concentrating on Learners with Severe and Communication Disorders. Her extensive career includes roles as a tenured university professor, K-12 resource teacher, county-wide autism specialist, and educational consultant across public, private, and homeschool settings. With over 20 years of clinical experience in early childhood and special education, she has developed mentor programs, facilitated school-wide assessments, and created individualized programs for students with diverse needs, including autism spectrum disorders and twice-exceptional learners.
Since joining HSLDA in July 2019, Rochelle has served as a passionate speaker and program director, offering practical strategies for homeschooling families, particularly those with struggling or neurodivergent learners. She directs Classical Conversations of Waldorf and is a sought-after presenter at conferences, delivering workshops on evidence-based methods to address communication, social skills, executive function, and motivation challenges. Her sessions, such as “You Can Homeschool Your Struggling Learner” and “Understanding the Twice Exceptional Learner,” provide parents with diagnostic checklists, curricula ideas, and multi-sensory teaching techniques to foster success in homeschool environments. Rochelle’s work emphasizes nurturing emotional regulation, empathy, and curiosity through tailored, sensory-friendly approaches.
A devoted Christian, Rochelle integrates faith into her educational philosophy, encouraging families to tap into their children’s God-given potential. Her family’s homeschooling journey, which spans kindergarten through high school, reflects her commitment to creating an educationally rich environment, inspired by her own upbringing with a teacher mother and policeman father who instilled a love for learning. As editor of the Meyerhoff Parent Association and a contributor to platforms like the Homeschool Highschool Podcast, Rochelle shares her expertise on topics like high school transcripts, student education plans, and fostering social-emotional development.
Rochelle’s mission is to equip homeschooling families with the tools and confidence to navigate challenges, from auditory processing disorders to complex high school transitions. Her work with organizations like The Autism Community in Action and Great Homeschool Conventions underscores her dedication to building inclusive, supportive communities. Living with her family in Maryland, Rochelle continues to inspire through her advocacy, offering hope and practical solutions to homeschooling parents worldwide.
