Homeschooling my autistic children is hands down one of the best choices I've ever made. While it hasn't always been easy, I believe allowing them the flexibility to be themselves and to learn and grow at their own pace has been a huge part of helping them (and me) thrive.
Here are my Top 10 Tips for helping your autistic kids succeed at homeschool. Bonus points: they’ll all help you stay sane in the process...
Establish a Consistent Routine
Create a structured daily schedule that includes regular breaks and transitions to provide a sense of stability and predictability for your child. It can be challenging to create this when you first get started, but it’s worth giving it a go. For our family, we set consistent meal times, then let them know what should happen before, and what will happen after, but we allow them to choose exactly when those tasks occur.
Create a Calm Learning Environment
Designate a quiet and organized space for homeschooling, free from distractions, where your child feels comfortable and focused. This does not have to be the kitchen table or a desk in their bedroom (although it can be). Experiment to find a place that works best for your child.
Embrace Flexibility
Adapt your teaching methods to accommodate your child's unique learning style, allowing for individualized instruction and pacing. Trust me on this one, it’s a lot easier to adapt your plans to their needs, rather than trying to do it the other way around. Don’t spend a ton of money on curriculum until you have a good idea of what will work for them.
Incorporate Visual Supports
Use visual aids such as charts, schedules, and visual cues to enhance comprehension, organization, and independence during learning activities, but only if they aren’t overwhelming to your child. Too much visual clutter can be distracting, but allowing them to clearly “see” what’s expected and scheduled for the day will be helpful for more autistic children.
Encourage Sensory Breaks
Incorporate sensory activities and breaks throughout the day to help regulate your child's sensory needs and support their overall well-being. It’ll help give their bodies a chance to move and keep the brain squirrels at bay. Remember that school doesn’t have to happen only at a table or desk. Many autistic kids benefit from movement and non-traditional school locations…we used to do math on the trampoline!
Engage in Special Interests
Incorporate your child's special interests into their homeschooling curriculum, as it can increase motivation, engagement, and overall happiness in learning. This is one of the most important things to know when homeschooling an autistic child. You can find ways to incorporate their special interest into just about everything you want to help them learn!
Foster Social Connections
Facilitate opportunities for social interaction and connection, such as virtual playdates or joining online communities of other homeschooling families. Look for local homeschooling groups on places such as Facebook…they often have park day meet-ups and field trips you can join. Don’t forget that online friends “count” as much as “IRL” friends…don’t discount the connections you and your child make online.
Celebrate Progress
Acknowledge and celebrate your child's achievements and milestones, no matter how small, to boost their confidence and sense of accomplishment. Plus, as their “teacher,” it helps remind you that you’re doing a great job too!
Practice Self-Care
Take care of yourself by prioritizing self-care activities, seeking support from other parents or professionals, and finding moments of relaxation to maintain your own well-being. Self-care is super important as the parent of an autistic child, and it's very important as a homeschooling parent…if you are taking on the combined role of homeschooling your autistic child(ren), self-care is a must!
Stay Positive and Patient
Maintain a positive attitude, patience, and a growth mindset throughout the homeschooling journey. Remember that progress takes time and that every step forward is a step toward a happier learning experience.
Conclusion
By implementing these tips, you can create a happier homeschooling environment for yourself, and your autistic child(ren)! Homeschooling offers us a great opportunity to promote engagement and prioritize our kids' well-being. Plus, it has an outsized impact on the overall success of their educational journey.
I know how hard it is to make educational choices for your autistic child(ren), that's why I wrote a series of articles about the US educational system and how it relates to autistic students. You can check out the series by clicking here.
In the meantime, drop a comment below and let me know…do you homeschool your autistic child(ren)? Any tips you’d add to the list? I’d love to know your thoughts!
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