How to Home-School an Autistic Child

Home-schooling is a popular option with many parents across the country. Home-schooling is legal in all 50 states. A bigger challenge is home schooling an autistic child. But this has many advantages. From concentrating on an autistic child's special needs to providing the type of care many pubic school programs do not offer, home schooling an autistic child is a viable means of education for your autistic child.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Study your local home-schooling laws. While home-schooling is legal in all states, it's more difficult to get approved in some states than in others. Find out what you need to do from a legal and educational standpoint to begin to home-school your child.

2. Create a quiet environment for the child to learn in. Loud noises and other distractions are bad for most children to learn but are even worse for autistic children. A calm environment will allow an autistic child to focus on learning.

3. Work with your local school. While home-schooling is advantageous for autistic children, some schools might have adequate programs in place to meet the needs of special children. Your child might be allowed to participate in these programs even if she is being home-schooled.

4. Keep a journal. Record your child's behavior at various times during the day. Note when he is most attentive to learning. Adapt the teaching to fit your child's needs and habits. This will lead to less frustration for both you and your child.

5. Use visual aids. Autistic children understand visual concepts much better than verbal instructions. School your child by showing them, not telling them. Use flash cards, charts and tables.

Tips & Warnings

• Research as much as you can about your child's autism. A better understanding of autism will help when it comes to educating your child.
• Seek the help of a support group for parents who home-school their autistic child. Aut2BHome is a support group available on the Internet.
• Help to expose your child to public settings by bringing her with you to run errands and do shopping. Since home-schooling will not help them with social skills, getting them out a few times a week will be beneficial.

Resources

• Find support group for home-schoolers of autistic children here.
• Find out about autism here.

[amylaine]

on 8/29/2009 Do not forget about grants to help with home school. Autistic children qualify for several different types of grants for tutoring, safety equipment, and other learning material. http://www.ehow.com/how_5271052_home-school-grants.html