Homeschooling an Autistic Child

While homeschooling an autistic child can be a time consuming and challenging endeavor, sometimes, as the old saying goes, if you want something done right, it is best to do it yourself. Not every school system provides the optimal support for children with autism, and that support or lack thereof can be a make or break issue in the future abilities of your child.

Public school special education classrooms are not always the best environment for children with autism. The typical special education class consists of children with a variety of disabilities, functioning at differing levels. Maladaptive behaviors can be part of the everyday atmosphere, and the environment can become overwhelming for children who are easily over stimulated. Conditions of this type can be particularly difficult for children with autism to adapt to, and can cause regression rather than progress with developmental skills.

Another factor to consider is the frequent occurrence of bullying in the public school setting. Any child who is significantly different from his peers is vulnerable to becoming a target for such behavior. Even if your child is placed in a segregated special education class, chances are that interaction with the general population, including bullies, is inevitable at some point during the school day. Many children with autism are tormented mercilessly by bullies throughout their public school careers, greatly affecting self esteem and making social interaction, already a challenge for many with autism, much more difficult.

Teacher to pupil ratios may not be ideal in the public school setting. Many districts are underfunded and understaffed, making it difficult to provide the best educational environment for students. Homeschooling an autistic child can offer the optimal teacher to student ratio, one-on-one.

Children with autism are often placed on specialized diet plans. Following such a plan is often much more practical in a homeschool setting than in the public school cafeteria.

Flexibility is another reason that many families decide that homeschooling is the best option for children with autism. As anyone with experience with this disorder knows, no teaching approach, treatment, or therapy program works for everyone—one size never fits all. Often, public schools offer limited options from which to choose. Teaching your child at home offers the option of experimenting with a wide variety of methods and curriculum choices until one that meets her specific learning style is found. Even school systems that offer a good variety of choices will take time to change methods, often waiting until the next school year to try another alternative.

Families who choose to homeschool their autistic child need not do without the therapy services offered to public school special education students. Your public school system is required to provide services outlined by your child's Individualized Education Plan, or IEP, regardless of whether you choose to enroll your child for educational purposes. To take advantage of these services, you will be required to seek an assessment of need for speech, physical, and occupational therapy through your school district's special education department.

Home school regulations vary greatly from one state to another, with some requiring extensive paperwork, records, and regular testing, while others require no more than a notification that your child will be educated at home. Before beginning a homeschool program, be sure to investigate the specifics of your state's homeschool laws, as violating them can be the source of legal trouble. School systems in most states have the power to charge parents with educational neglect if the proper forms and testing are not completed.

• Preschool Activities for Autistic Children
• Possible Causes of Autism
• Tips for Raising Kids with Autism
• What Is Your Autism Empathy Rating?

• Lesson Plans for Autistic Children
• Adult Autism Symptoms
• Social Skills Activities for Kids with Autism
• Speech Therapy Ideas for Autistic Children
• Famous Autistic People

• Defeat Autism Now
• Special Issues for Autistic Teens
• Environment for Autistic Children
• How to Know if Child Is Autistic
• Best Schools for Autistic Children