Advantages of Homeschooling an Autistic Child

Why Caregivers Should Consider the Homeschooling Option

Jul 1, 2009 Kah Ying Choo

For caregivers who are frustrated with their autistic children's learning programs at school, homeschooling is a possible option. What are some of its advantages?

Confronted by their autistic children with challenging learning deficits, caregivers believe that it is in the best interests of their children to be taught by trained professionals in special needs settings. In fact, on paper, special needs students are supposed to be educated according to an individualized education plan (IEP) that caters specifically to their unique learning needs.

However, in reality, special needs teachers and teaching aides who are responsible for several students at any one time lack the time, energy and resources to formulate and implement an individualized learning program for each student. As a result, these students are often given work that is too hard, simple, or meaningless to them, resulting in tremendous frustration. Moreover, because the teachers have to cater to the well-being of several students, they are unable to be responsive to the needs of the students.

For caregivers who are frustrated by their autistic children’s learning experiences in special needs settings, the homeschooling option presents a strong alternative. Here are some of the advantages of homeschooling an autistic child, which may motivate caregivers to undertake this endeavor.

Create an Individualized Education Plan

With homeschooling, caregivers are able to create a learning program that is truly individualized and customized to the unique learning styles, interests and functioning levels of their autistic children. Furthermore, caregivers can incorporate effective scaffolding such as special writing templates containing visual aids to support their children’s learning experience. As a result, caregivers can ensure that their children are engaged in meaningful and relevant learning, while challenging them to overcome their learning deficits.

Caregivers also have the opportunity to develop a dynamic program that incorporates real-world experiences such as errands, holidays, fun excursions and physical activities. By interweaving these real-life experiences into worksheets, caregivers can reinforce their children’s learning program with rich and diverse contexts.

Offer a Responsive Curriculum

Homeschooling caregivers who are designing their own learning program can offer a responsive curriculum that evolves in accordance with the development of their autistic children. As they spend a considerable amount of time observing their children, caregivers are able to modify their curriculum immediately in response to changes in their children’s interests or abilities. One cannot expect such a high level of responsiveness in special needs settings.

Provide One-on-One Attention

Within a homeschooling setting, caregivers can provide one-on-one attention to their autistic children in the implementation of their learning program. This factor is particularly important when caregivers are teaching their children new and thus challenging concepts. Caregivers need to be completely focused in order to provide the necessary assistance to their children.

Just as importantly, their attentive observation of their child’s response will give them tremendous insight into the appropriateness of the curriculum they have designed. They may realize that they need to increase the level of difficulty, or further break down the steps, to facilitate their children’s understanding of the work.

Build a Strong Relationship

The journey of homeschooling will challenge caregivers to see things from the perspective of their autistic children and understand them in depth in order to create a dynamic and responsive learning program. Over time, as caregivers and their children go through the struggles and triumphs of learning, they will build a strong and loving relationship.

While homeschooling an autistic child is a challenging endeavor, it allows caregivers to offer a genuinely customized learning program that is responsive to their children's development. Moreover, caregivers will be able to give their children one-on-one attention. Best of all, caregivers and their children will forge a strong bond of love that transcends the social and communication barriers erected by autism.

The copyright of the article Advantages of Homeschooling an Autistic Child in Special Needs Parenting is owned by Kah Ying Choo. Permission to republish Advantages of Homeschooling an Autistic Child in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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