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Home-Schooling
Your Autistic Child

By Rachel Evans
 
If you have an autistic child, then you are aware of the many challenges you face raising your child. With the behavioural problems that many autistic children suffer from, raising an autistic child may feel like two full-time jobs at times.

Educating an autistic child is also a difficult task that must be fully thought out. While public schools are funded to handle children with special needs, these locations are not always the best arenas for autistic children.

Get More Information on Natural Remedies for Autism and other PDDs

 
One of the reasons that home-schooling your autistic child is a good idea is because special education programs may lump autistic children in with others who have maladaptive behavioural problems.

Remember, autistic children have behavioural problems due to their developmental inability to properly function normally in social situations. If they are placed in with others who have emotional problems they may regress instead of progress.
 
However, if home-schooled, parents can control the social influences that are likely to either help or hinder the progress of their child. They can keep them away from insensitive teachers, bullies, and have greater control of their education.

Due to their obvious differences, many autistic children are treated with cruelty. This horrible fact of life can undo much of the progress that your child may have already made.

Most autistic children function best when routines are set. Home-schooling is the best way to ensure these routines are established and followed.

In addition, home-schooling is a good choice because many autistic children are sensitive to sound. If they are in a classroom with a bunch of other children making noise, it can be difficult for them to focus.

The home-schooling setting is normally more quiet and conducive to learning, besides, it offers autistic children a typically 1:1 teacher to student ratio.

Plus, if you’re following a GFCF diet it’s much easier to implement this at home and you can be sure that your child is only eating what you’re giving them.

Furthermore, research has demonstrated that autistic children who are home-schooled score better on problem behaviour assessments.
In order to make the most out of your child’s home-school experience, it may be a good idea to keep a journal. Write down anything about your child’s behaviour and performance that is important.

For instance, you can keep track of when your child is most productive, when he or she learns best, and what are the potential distractions.

Remember you’ll need to adapt your teaching style to suit their learning ability. Trying to make them learn ‘your way’ will just lead to a lack of progress and frustration all round.

Get More Information on Natural Remedies for Autism and other PDDs

As a parent and a teacher it is important for you to read up on recent literature involving the education of autistic children. There are many resources that provide information on teaching strategies, learning methods, and the different types of intelligence. Knowing this information will enable you to tailor a home-school program that will meet your child’s needs.

The beauty about home-schooling is that if one approach doesn’t work you can adapt your style until you find an approach that does work.

Home-schooling is fast becoming a common educational choice for parents of autistic children. The research involved clearly outlines the benefits of home-schooling.

However, you must ensure that you will have the time and the dedication to follow through with home-schooling. Simply keeping your child at home is not going to do any good if learning is not occurring. It is important that you address academic, behavioural, and social needs.

Resources:

USA - National Home Education Network
UK - Education Otherwise
AUSTRALIA - Homeschool Australia
 
About the author - Rachel Evans. For information and to signup for a Free Newsletter about Autism please visit The Essential Guide to Autism