One major advantage of educating your autistic child at home is that you are involved with their homeschool success. You help to decide the way your child is taught the material, and no one knows your autistic child better than you do. You know how your autistic child learns and can find ways to make their education unique and best for them. Another way to ensure your autistic child’s home school success is to enroll them in enrichment classes.
A parent’s decision to homeschool their child, especially a child with special needs, does not mean they wish to keep them from socializing with other children their age. In fact, the opposite is quite true. They simply want to have more control of who their children are socializing with. For example, if you live in a city where your child goes to public school, your child is apt to come into contact with drugs and alcohol issues much quicker than they would if they were home schooled.
There are enrichment classes available to children of all ages, such as gymnastics, karate, art, and even guitar lessons. Any of these classes will allow your child to learn new things that you will not be able to teach them, as well as learn socialization skills. Many area high schools allow homeschooled children to participate in special classes, such as computer classes and even physical education. This allows your child (autistic or atypical) to enhance their educational experience and develop their social interactions skills with other students.
Many communities have programs that were developed especially for homeschoolers and may be as easy as an alternative school that offers enrichment classes that enhance a child’s homeschool learning or informal get-togethers for home schooled children. Either one will help your child (autistic or atypical) to achieve homeschool success.
If you find that there is not a community program in your area, you may want to think about starting a support group yourself. Many groups have started out small and together, they plan field trips to enhance their children’s learning experiences, as well as get-togethers where their children can simply interact with one another. It also provides a chance to talk with others that are in your position as parent and teacher.
Many people do not understand why parents may choose to home school their child and many may picture the home-schooled child (autistic or atypical) to be lonely. However, this is not the case at all. Homeschooled children are often more confident in their abilities and have no problems fitting in with other children their age. By adding enrichment classes to your child’s education, you are helping to ensure their homeschool success.
Homeschooling our autistic teen son was and is the best decision we ever made because we found success, communication and progress in this alternative school setting and have not looked back. If you find yourself unhappy with your current situation, especially when it comes to educating your children, change it and find what works. Sometimes not all public brick and mortar school environments work for all children.
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Mandu Usoro is a lifestyle blogger, freelance writer, experienced homeschooler and US Army Veteran with a BS Degree in Social Work and AA Degrees in Psychology as well as Health Care Administration. She enjoys spending time with her family, advocating for her special needs son and writing for fun and inspiration. You can get in touch with her on Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at https://www.homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/contact-us
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