Is homeschooling a good option for my child with autism?
Once a child with autism reaches school age, parents ask themselves how to provide the best possible educational program for their child who has special needs. There are a number of options: public education, private school, or homeschooling. First, let’s look at the public educational system and how it serves a child with special needs.
What is public education and what challenges does it have supporting children with special needs?
Parents may begin with a public education for a variety of reasons. They want their child with autism to socialize with other children and assume they will receive good teaching from the teacher who teaches the neurotypical kids. Often the reality is other parents are resentful that their child is receiving less attention because of the presence of a child with special needs. Classes are large often with no time for a teacher to provide extra attention. The teacher may have no special training in autism spectrum disorders and personal aide time is limited if provided at all. Traditional teaching techniques used in most classrooms involve too much listening, sitting still, and not enough breaks. Lesson plans are not modified specifically to accommodate special learning needs.
Public schools may lack the resources to provide a sound education for a child with autism. The school may not have a professionally trained staff, teacher aides, or special equipment such as a laptop computer. Laptops can be beneficial for children who have difficulty with motor control (read Take the Pencil Out of the Process article). They often find it easier to type than to hand-write. Many autistic children enjoy working on computers so providing them with one to use is motivational.
The other option to full inclusion is the segregated special education classroom. Although not an option in all school districts, the classroom houses children with all types of disabilities, not just children with autism who require special one-on-one attention and unique teaching methods. In Canada, there are only a handful of autism-based classrooms.
The special education teacher is often a generalist and may have little or no experience with autism spectrum disorders. The autistic child may have limited access to mainstream school activities with neurotypical children. There are no best practice standards for aides in the classroom or compulsory training requirements.
Public schools are noisy places to be. Loud sounds can be upsetting to children with autism. Sounds such as school bells, PA systems, buzzers on a scoreboard in the gym, or chairs scraping across the floor can be irritating and painful to the ears. Fluorescent lights visually bother some autistic children because they can see the flicker of the 60-cycle electricity. It is hard to imagine for a non-autistic individual that these everyday things can be distracting for a child with autism.
Finally there is the socialization issue, the very reason many parents opt for public schooling. Children are often cruel, a hard fact of life. A child with autism can suffer teasing, bullying, and abuse at the hands of their peers because their disorder is misunderstood. Certain behaviors indicative of the disorder make them stand out. Children with autism often get fixated on one subject and talk about it incessantly. They engage in self-stimulating behaviors such as hand flapping. The ability to make eye contact or carry on a conversation is difficult. Approaching other children to engage them in play does not always happen. Autistic children are often content to be left on their own. All of these factors can isolate the child with autism from his peers.
By law, every child has a right to an appropriate education and needed services based on an assessment. What is a parent to do when the special needs of their child are not being met?
Homeschooling – a legal and viable option for some parents
Homeschooling a child with autism is a legal and viable option in North America. More parents are homeschooling because of the failures of the public education system. Why homeschool? In addition to the problems mentioned about public schooling, there are the needs of the individual that must be met. No one knows your child better than you do. The love and understanding that only a parent can provide has enabled many families to homeschool their special needs child successfully.
Parents who homeschool can create an educational program that fits the learning style of their child. Most children with autism are visual thinkers and learners. Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at Colorado State University and a woman with autism. She says she thinks in terms of pictures, not language. All her thoughts are like videotape running in her imagination. Nouns were the easiest words for her to learn because she could create a picture in her mind. To understand verbs, she needed a physical demonstration. Temple’s suggestion for teaching the word “up” would be to take a toy airplane and have it take off from a desk.
A homeschool program can incorporate repeated and simplified instructions, written instructions rather than verbal ones, one-on-one instruction, clear expectations and immediate feedback, student centered curriculum, and frequent breaks. Your home can provide the ideal learning environment free from stress, excessive noise, and wasted time.
What opportunities does homeschooling provide?
Homeschooling provides parents with the opportunity to educate by focusing on a child’s unique strengths, interests and abilities, compensating for weaknesses and allowing success to inspire more success. Many autistic children are good at drawing, art and computer programming. These areas of talent can be incorporated into learning. Some children can sing better than they can speak. They may respond better if sentences are sung to them. Some children with extreme sensitivity to sound will respond better if spoken to in a whisper. Autistic children often fixate on one or two subjects. If the child is focused on airplanes use them as a way to teach reading and math. For example, read books about airplanes and do math problems with airplanes. For example, calculate how long it takes a plane to fly between Chicago and Los Angeles.
So what about the big socialization question? Won’t homeschooling isolate an autistic child? The answer is not necessarily. Homeschoolers participate in inclusive community activities such as sports, church choir, and music lessons. Parents can select social settings to maximize the child’s talent and minimize distractions.
We do not socialize in large groups of people exactly our own age. Adults socialize in groups of different ages and so should children. Autistic children should not be put together in groups defined by age because an autistic child can stick out due to his/her delays. Homeschoolers socialize in more natural social settings such as libraries, church, shopping, and family gatherings. Homeschooled children are less aware of differences because they meet many kinds of people. They are tolerant of others in the absence of peer pressure.
How do you start homeschooling?
If you decide to homeschool, how do you start? Begin by researching. Contact local homeschoolers, delve into websites for homeschoolers of children with special needs, and read books. A list of resources is provided at the end of this article. Deschool your child – in other words, let the child do his own learning. Provide materials to nurture the child’s interests and hobbies. Review educational/medical records; observe how your child learns best, and note sensory needs, strengths, interests and weaknesses. Keeping a daily journal of activities can help you do this. Attend workshops about social stories, learning styles, behavior, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)– anything to do with autism. Locate therapists to work with you and your child on speech, social skills, and fine and gross motor skills. Remember that no one is an island so don’t be afraid to ask for help for your child. Make sure you include your child in community activities. Slowly introduce him/her to homeschooling support activities.
Homeschooling a child with autism is challenging and requires dedication and patience. You may want to consider other alternatives to homeschooling if you feel: you don’t have the patience to teach your child, you are a perfectionist, you do not have an optimal home learning environment (younger siblings may be too distracting), your family is coping with other major stresses such as health problems, or your family relationships would become adversely affected.
Create a Community
If you do decide to take the homeschooling plunge, make sure you enlist the support of family, friends, and other homeschoolers. Find professional resources that offer support for your choice of education. Above all, take time to take care of yourself. Too many parents neglect themselves when rearing an autistic child. Seek counseling if you need it, use respite care for breaks, and develop your own personal interests that you find rewarding.
Homechooling can be a successful educational option for those rearing autistic children. There is a lot of support out there and the homeschooling movement is continually growing, particularly on-line. Whatever educational choice you decide to make ensure that it is the right choice for your child. The greatest reward we can have as parents is a happy, loving child.
Resources
Education.com – Website for worksheets, workbooks, activities
Khan Academy – On-line courses on many academic subjects and topics
Do2Learn – an on-line educational resource for children with special needs
Homeschooling the Child with Autism: Answers to the Top Questions Parents and Professionals Ask
A to Z Homeschooling -Resources and tips on homeschooling a child with an ASD
Editorial Policy: Autism Awareness Centre believes that education is the key to success in assisting individuals who have autism and related disorders. Autism Awareness Centre’s mission is to ensure our extensive autism resource selection features the newest titles available in North America. Note that the information contained on this web site should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice.
I have been debating homeschool my 12 year old asd kiddo due to bullying that has traumatized them and they flat out refuse school and it’s a huge trigger and the pandemic hasn’t made it anymore easier with the amount of zooms and other kids are mean to them
Another article you can read that I wrote about the case for homeschooling is here – https://autismawarenesscentre.com/home-school/ There is a new book on homeschooling that was just published – https://autismawarenesscentre.com/shop/education-classroom/homeschooling-autism-style/
I’m glad I came across this blog. I’ve been thinking about homeschooling my 9yr old son who has autism. I reviewed some of the school assignments he gets and feel they are very difficult for him to understand. The curriculum is awful and doesn’t benefit my sons learning at all. This is the reason why I want to homeschool because I know his ability and how he learns best. The school curriculum is one education fits all, which doesn’t help individuals that needs more attention. I live in North Carolina and would like to find out what the next steps are.
Hi. My 6 year old has level 2 Autism. Her needs are not being met & her IEP is not being honored. Decisions are being made for her without my knowledge. Report cards came out & she is failing every single subject Bec she doesn’t understand the corriculum. Her teacher is more concerned about styling her hair than she is about teaching her . I’ve already addressed the teacher & the school about my concerns & they are telling me how it’s going to be . They are unconcerned that my child is struggling. Home schooling seems to looking better every time
I live in SLC Utah . My son is 15 and has moderate autism . I recently spent two full days at my sons school shadowing each class and I was very disappointed to see the curriculum they are trying to teach my son . First the curriculum is not set up for visual learners only auditory learners . My son like most on the spectrum is a visual learner . He also learns by seeing an action performed and by touch . My son goes to a public school , cluster class where he is in a room of Children with multiple types of disorders, delays and learning disabilities. I know how smart my young man is but he is not meeting his full potential in this environment . I would be very interested in finding a homeschool curriculum that would teach him at his level and the way he learns . I understand I will have to work with the public school system school board on meeting their academic requirements. My question is what are some of the best visual homeschool programs out there for math, science, art, computer program, reading, and anything else I’m leaving out ? My son is currently in 9th grade but does not perform at a ninth grade level in academics . He will be going into high school next school year and I feel the school system is just pushing and rushing him through grades to age him out of the system instead of holding him at his mental grade level . I would love to give him the education he deserves and is not getting . Thank you for any help you can offer
Visual learning can take many forms – graphic organizers, outling, graphs, etc. Please have a look at this website for possible ideas – http://www.inspiration.com/visual-learning . You will need to ask your homeschool supervisor to direct you to programs that are done with visuals and there are lots of them out there. https://www.youcubed.org/resources/visual-math-improves-math-performance/ ; https://buildingmathematicians.wordpress.com/2018/05/07/making-math-visual/ Just go to Google and put in the search words Teaching Language Arts with Visuals, for example, and lots of links will come up.
Hello. Im seriously considering homeschooling my son wih ASD. He’s at a point now where he straight up refuses to go, making his attendance currently an issue. School is a big trigger for him and hes not gaining much from it with the lack of one on one help he recieves in school. My son is 6 and is really struggling in school. How do i get started with homeschooling for him? What are the first steps? And how do i set up a school plan for a child ASD?
You usually have to contact your local board of education to start homeschooling as there are certain requirements that must be met. There are also supervisors who come in to make sure a curriculum is being taught. I have no idea where you are from or what country you live in. Here is how it works in the USA – https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/choosing-starting-school/home-schooling/the-pros-and-cons-of-homeschooling . Here is information for Canada – https://thecanadianhomeschooler.com/10-faqs-about-homeschooling-in-canada/
My daughter is 11y/o, diagnoses with autism nonverbal. She is in 6th grade. I like to homeschool her because her needs are not met in school. I do not know where to start .
You usually have to contact your local board of education to start homeschooling as there are certain requirements that must be met. There are also supervisors who come in to make sure a curriculum is being taught. I have no idea where you are from or what country you live in. Here is how it works in the USA – https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/choosing-starting-school/home-schooling/the-pros-and-cons-of-homeschooling . Here is information for Canada – https://thecanadianhomeschooler.com/10-faqs-about-homeschooling-in-canada/
I reside in Ky. and have custody of two children who have been diagnosed as ASD. The school system literally told me I did not know what I was talking about when I pleaded for special ed. or other services for the children.
Both children were not learning, being scolded for not “acclimating” to classroom decorum.
I now homeschool both. I have Masters degree. I am in a constant battle with the local schools. What can I do to develop appropriate curriculum for ASD learning? There is zero help via Ky. Dept. Of Ed.
Thanks!
Nikki
Nikki, this is a huge question to answer because an appropriate curriculum for ASD learning has to be individualized to accommodate learning style, communication system, strengths, and interests. There are loads of articles out there on suggestions such as https://www.acd.org.au/examples-adjustments/ , https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/learningneeds/Pages/teachlearnstrats.aspx , https://education.alberta.ca/media/385138/teaching-students-with-asd-2003.pdf .
I enjoyed all information good to have heard all ,now I know that what I am doing is right ,thank you.
My son is 14yrs old and I would like to home school him, due to not being able to put him in a safe environment because of the high school he will be made to go to. How and who do I answer to when it comes to his IEP”s and standard tests? Also let it be known that my son still only reads at a kindergarten level.
Can you tell me what country you live in? Most countries would have you report to your local educational authority. There is usually a person assigned for outreach and supervision of homeschooled students. There are definitely standards and requirements for reporting progress, IEP, etc.
Hello, I know this post is from a few years ago but I’m happy to have found it. After many exhaustive year 7I2 leading to go nowhere I’m really fed up with the school system I live in Atlanta Georgia. My son is in 7th grade. He is autistic as well as Jeff and each year I hear that there is no good place for him, they don’t have the resources. They are doing their best… at 13 my son still doesn’t use a primary language at school. He is not able to communicate efficiently. He has had a Teacher of the Hearing Impaired consulting teachecher who comes in the classroom 15mins per week. She takes him out of the classroom to work with him without his paraprofessional. She dreams him mentally challenged because he doesn’t make much progress (other than repetitive tasks) for the rest of the week in his high behavior, low functioning classroom of 13 children in which no one is trained to be able to communicate with him. I’ce been a single parent since he was 4 yrs old and work very hard to provide, but have always felt the guilt that my career has been at his deep expense. At home I am able to communicate with him the most (nonverbally through ASL and gestures) and feel as if I am the only one who knows he is intelligent in his learning world. Each year I have seen the gap grow wider and wider as he gets older. If I could figure out how to support us and take the helmet in homeschooling I would do it in a heartbeat. Career be damned! (Heh) Im so tired of fighting with no results and watching the clock tick on my child….Thank you for the article an information.
I have a 13 year old son with asd . he now goes to a private school called highroads. his PA. he had for 2 years just moved and a lot of other teachers have left so there is a lot of new people there . Now my son is doing things at school he never did before and we have never seen at home . Im thinking home schooling him might be better any advice for me.
I’m the permanent legal custody of two children brother and sister with autism both are really nonverbal how do I start homeschooling. They are 14 and we’ve had them since they were nine. They have shown very little progress in the school system.
What country do you live in? That can help me pinpoint resources for you.
Hi, Maureen Bennie
thanks for writing such a wonderful blog. There would be many mothers are going through the same question that their child is suffering from the disorder and is it the good option to homeschool the child. The blog-like this help lot of moms in finding out the answer to their questions.
I am a 46 year old grandmother of a autistic 4 Year old grandson. He is very bright , he is non verbal, although he is learning and doing well with beginning to talk. My daughter goes to great lengths to give him the sensory that he needs. I substitute teaching for years. I enjoyed working with children with behaviour problems. I feel that I would be able to homeschool my grandson. I just need advice on how to find the right curriculum for him. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely , Grammie (Jennifer)
There are resources out there to support homeschooling. Your local school board will also have a homeschooling person who can help you build a curriculum. One resource I would recommend starting with is Tasks Galore. This is all hands-on learning activities around per-literacy and math skills. For example, a child has to be able to sort objects by attributes before they can begin learning the alphabet.
There are also different programs available online like Time4 Learning – https://www.time4learning.com/autism_education.shtml . This is an article I wrote as well on how to start homeschooling with resources listed at the bottom of the article – https://autismawarenesscentre.com/homeschooling-good-option-child-with-autism/
I have been using teacher pay teachers for my daughter for worksheets. She is 9 now but we used to use abc mouse.com and learning with homer.
You mentioned private schools. I am in the Oakville-Burlington area in the GTA. Can you suggest any private schools that are equipped to teach children with ASD?