Introducing a child to homeschooling is a daunting task for any parent, especially when their child has Asperger’s, a form of autism. Asperger’s can make schooling a challenge for the child and their family, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons to decide if homeschooling is the best option for all parties involved. In this article, we’ll discuss why I chose to homeschool my child with Asperger’s, along with fifteen questions we should all consider when making a similar decision.
What Is Asperger’s Syndrome?
Asperger’s Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that affects social skills, conversational abilities, sensory integration and behaviors. People with Asperger’s can experience difficulties with nonverbal communication, coordination, and organization. Other common signs of Asperger’s include having difficulty understanding facial expressions and body language, preferring routines, being highly sensitive to certain sounds, smells, and tastes, and struggling with transitions.
Asperger’s is not a learning disability, and people with Asperger’s can be as intelligent and capable as anyone else.
Questions to Consider Before Homeschooling a Child with Asperger’s
Before deciding to homeschool a child with Asperger’s, a parent must consider some important questions for their particular family situation. These questions include:
1. Is Homeschooling Right for My Child?
Every family’s situation is unique, and, unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to education. Parents must assess whether homeschooling is right for their child, as it won’t address all of the needs that come with Asperger’s. Additionally, if a child has other needs in terms of classroom support, regular schooling may be a better fit.
2. Will Homeschooling Work for My Lifestyle?
Homeschooling is a full-time commitment, and can be a tiring and difficult process for any parent. For parents with jobs, extracurriculars, and other commitments, taking on the roles of teacher and caregiver can be overwhelming.
Parents must assess whether they realistically have the time and energy to homeschool their child.
3. Do We Have the Resources to Make Homeschooling A Success?
In addition to the time commitment, parents must consider the resources available to them. Homeschooling is often expensive, and parents must be sure they have the funds for materials, classes, and specialized assistance for their child. Additionally, parents often need to develop their own curriculum, find materials online, and research local homeschooling rules and regulations.
4. How Can We Best Create A Supportive and Successful Learning Environment?
Creating an environment conducive to learning is an important factor when homeschooling a child with Asperger’s. Parents must be aware of any areas their child tends to struggle in and create a safe, comfortable, distraction-free space for them. Additionally, parents must be aware of sensory issues and how to manage them, as Asperger’s can often lead to difficulties in this area.
5. How Can We Structure Homeschooling to Best Accommodate Our Child’s Needs?
When homeschooling their child, parents must be aware of any potential issues their child may have with structuring their day and creating a predictable schedule. The structure of the lesson plans and activities is also innovative, as children with Asperger’s may require additional breaks and a flexible approach to learning. Additionally, parents must be creative with lesson plans, using techniques like hands-on learning and visual aids.
6. What Tools Can We Use to Jumpstart Our Curriculum?
When beginning to homeschool a child with Asperger’s, parents may find it useful to use certain tools and resources to supplement their lesson plans. There are many helpful products that make teaching math, science, and other subjects easier, such as simple manipulatives and interactive learning tools.
Additionally, there are plenty of online tools, websites, and apps for parents to find free materials and activities for homeschooling their children.
7. How Can We Encourage Our Child to Socialize and Make Friends?
The social components of schooling are especially important for children with Asperger’s. At home, parents can foster positive social attitudes by setting ground rules, encouraging their child to explore their interests, and teaching them how to be a good friend. Parents can also seek out local homeschooling and social groups to help their child meet and interact with other homeschooled children.
8. How Can We Monitor Their Progress and Access Any Support?
When homeschooling a child with Asperger’s, it’s important for parents to constantly monitor their child’s academic and social progress. Parents can request an Individualized Education Program from their local school district to ensure their child is making academic progress.
Additionally, parents may need to seek out therapist, interventionist, and other supportive professionals for their child.
9. How Should We Assign Homework?
Homeschooling children with Asperger’s requires flexibility and patience when assigning and grading homework. Parents must be aware of any areas their child may struggle with, as well as how to offer assistance.
Additionally, when grading assignments or quizzes, rather than focusing on results, parents can emphasize individual progress and effort.
10. How Can We Properly Enforce Good Behavior at Home?
It’s important to set clear boundaries and expectations in terms of behavior when homeschooling any child. For children with Asperger’s, this can often be a challenge, as they may have difficulty following directions and understanding consequences.
Parents must create rules that are simple, consistent, and easy to understand.
11. Do We Need to Take Breaks?
Children with Asperger’s often require breaks during their studies, so it’s important for parents to be aware of this. Taking breaks can often help children refocus, reinvigorate, and build positive associations with their studies. Additionally, parents can switch up their child’s activities or focus points throughout the day to keep them engaged.
12. Do We Need to Schedule a Variety of Activities and Learning Methods?
To keep their children engaged and enthusiastic about learning, parents must introduce a variety of materials and activities into their homeschooling curriculum. This can mean utilizing different books and learning materials, experiential learning, hands-on activities, virtual lessons, field trips, and so on. Scheduling weekly activities can also provide structure to the homeschooling process.
13. What Strategies Can We Use to Manage Any Difficulty Behaviors?
When dealing with any behaviors that may arise in a homeschooling environment, it’s important to take a proactive approach. Parents can try and plan ahead, establish firm routines, and use positive reinforcement and reward systems. Additionally, parents can enlist the help of their child’s therapists and other professionals to come up with strategies for managing difficult behaviors.
14. How Can We Handle Unwanted Reactions to Changes or New Challenges?
Introducing new challenges, materials, and activities to the homeschool curriculum can often lead to unwanted reactions with children with Asperger’s. Parents must be firm, understanding, and consistent with their responses to any situations that may arise, while reassuring their child gently. Parents can also try and prepare the child ahead of time, if they know they’ll be bringing in something new.
15. How Can Parents Get Support When They Feel Overwhelmed by Homeschooling?
For any parent, homeschooling can be a daunting process, and often leads to feelings of insecurity and stress. Parents must be willing to reach out for help when needed and accept support from others. There are many resources for homeschooling families, including homeschool networks, parent support groups, and online advice from experienced homeschoolers.
Conclusion
Homeschooling a child with Asperger’s is a difficult, but ultimately rewarding process. Before beginning, parents should ask themselves many questions and truly assess if it’s the right decision for their families.
If they decide to homeschool, parents must put in the time, energy, and research to create an educational experience that works for their child with Asperger’s. With dedication, patience, and resources, homeschooling a child with Asperger’s can be a success.