Hello and Happy Spring!
Welcome to all of my new subscribers and thanks so much for my present subscribers for sticking around. By the time you read this month’s HSSN TidBits newsletter, the start of spring will be in full swing and you are just getting used to the time change because we had to spring forward. How are you doing with that? Our household was in a bit of a fog for a while, but now we are getting used to the light we see outside in the morning vs the vast darkness of a few weeks ago. Just this weekend we were in the 60’s and it was sunny, and people were out and about. Were you able to get out to get some vitamin D in your locale? Either way, I hope you are doing well this spring season. What are you doing for Easter? Without further ado, let’s get this newsletter started.
Homeschooling Online
If Johnny is fascinated by the blinking cursor and struggles to master the movements of the mouse, you may want to look into some of the recent developments in homeschooling techniques. Gone are the days when parents had to buy material from vendors and then pass it on to their children with explanations. Today, you get the full course details, material and test papers online.
Visit LiteracyPlanet today!Children love to sit with the computer. In addition to making them feel like an adult, the computer also makes use of the visual and sound medium to make learning fun and easy. Streaming video and audio show various scientific processes in great detail. The colorful pictures and the various techniques used help to effectively bind the data to the child’s memory.
Save 33% on home learning activities proven to boost classroom confidenceMany online resources have a fun testing center that aims to measure the knowledge and skill level of your child. Complicated math and science problems are dealt with deftly and elegantly. A visit to an e-library can also be fun, especially when there is an audio clip that reads out the passage to you.
The World’s Best Automated ProofreaderE-learning has just begun to revolutionize the world of studies. If harnessed properly, a child can assimilate an astonishing amount of information from that great resource sitting right there at your table – your P.C.
Structure, Homeschooling and Autism
There are endless ways to structure your day while homeschooling your child with autism. Check your state homeschooling regulations to find out how many hours per day and days per year you are required for each school year.
Example 1: Access to Community Supports (Academic)
8:00am Breakfast
8:30am Reading
9:00am Math
9:30am Sensory break
10:00am Go to zoo science class
12:00pm Lunch/cooking lesson
1:00pm Special interest activity
2:00pm Writing
3:00pm Speech therapy
Example 2: Access To Community Supports (Therapeutic)
8:00am Breakfast
8:30am Get dressed
9:00am ABA therapy
12:00pm Lunch
12:30pm Reading with parent
1:00pm Physical exercise
2:00pm Occupational therapy
3:00pm Group art class
Example 3: No Community Supports (Academic)
8:00 am Breakfast
8:30 am Morning movement activity
9:00 am Math
9:45 am Sensory break
10:15 am Reading
11:00 am Chores
11:30 am Art or music
12:00 pm Lunch/cooking
12:30 pm Outside play/ PE
1:30 pm Social Studies
2:00 pm Board/card game
2:30pm Science activity
3:15pm Educational activity on electronics
Example 4: No Community Supports (Therapeutic)
8:00 am Breakfast
8:30 am Morning movement activity/Sensory diet
9:00 am Reading with parent
9:30 am Sensory break
10:00 am Occupational therapy activities (sensory or fine motor: crafts, coloring, play-doh, pipe cleaners)
10:30 am Educational activity on electronics
11:00 am Life skills (chores, cooking, dressing, bathing, turn taking)
12:00 pm Lunch
12:30 pm Outside playtime
1:30 pm Speech therapy activities (blow bubbles, articulation games, AAC practice)
2:00 pm Math activity (sidewalk chalk counting/math, math board games)
2:30pm Neighborhood walk with activity (count mailboxes, find an object of a certain color, work on communication)
3:15pm Communication/social skills (phone call/video chat/email
When it comes to structuring your special needs child/student’s day, keep age appropriateness in mind. From what I can tell from these structure examples, they seem to be geared towards kindergarten through maybe second grade. Again, it would depend on where your special needs(autistic) child is academically, emotionally and socially. I hope that this gives you an idea of how to structure your autistic child’s day, wherever you are in your journey to homeschooling.
Seasonal Recipe for March(Life Skill)– Spring Vegetable Chowder
Ingredients
for 6 servings
- ¼ cup olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
- 20 oz riced cauliflower
- 5 oz leek, tough green ends removed, cut into half-moons and rinsed.
- 5 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus 2 teaspoons, divided, plus more to taste
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- 2 cups non-dairy milk, plus more to taste, divided
- 10 oz asparagus, woody stems removed, cut into 1/2 in (1 1/4 cm) pieces
- 6 oz english pea, frozen
- 1 lemon, zest
- ¼ cup fresh basil, plus more for garnish
- 1 ½ lb. medium red potato, cut into 1/2 in (1 1/4 cm) cubes
- cold water
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- freshly ground black pepper, for garnish
Preparation
- In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the riced cauliflower, leeks, garlic, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Sauté for 2 minutes, until the leeks just begin to soften.
- Pour in the vegetable stock and 2 cups (480 ml) of non-dairy milk. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the cauliflower is completely broken down and tender.
- Meanwhile, in a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the asparagus, peas, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Sauté for 2 minutes, until the vegetables are bright green with some crunch. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and basil. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Wipe out the pan and add the potatoes and enough cold water to cover by 1 inch (1 ¼ cm). Season with 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork but not mushy. Drain and set aside.
- Remove the pot with the cauliflower from the heat. Blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth and creamy. Add up to 1 cup (240 ml) non-dairy milk or water if needed to thin to your desired consistency.
- Stir in the reserved asparagus, peas, potatoes, and the lemon juice. Season to taste with salt.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Enjoy!
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