There’s no denying that the education system is failing millions of autistic children across the country. With reports suggesting that 1 in 36 children are autistic, traditional school settings aren’t always the most productive place to be for autistic children, nor do they always help them get the best education possible.
While this isn’t true for every autistic child, many thrive in educational settings and reach their full potential, especially if they have access to support and tailored services to help them meet their needs. But the reality is that for every child that succeeds in a system rigged against them, many more aren’t thriving.
Sadly, the onus is failing on the part of the parents to support their child in their quest to get a full education and support their development. While not all journeys run the same path or are linear, each parent knows their child well enough to understand their needs.
These tips and strategies can help parents find the right balance to support their child through this journey.
Focus on Strengths
Every child has unique strengths and weaknesses; parents must recognize and understand these traits. This understanding empowers parents to adapt their child’s learning methods and educational support to suit their unique needs. For instance, if a child is a visual learner who absorbs information best through videos, identifying educational videos for them can be more beneficial than traditional learning methods. Similarly, tools like the Orton Gillingham Curriculum can be highly beneficial for children who require sensory input to process information.
Be Calm
It’s essential to remain calm when helping any child learn, whether they are autistic or not. It might get frustrating, and things won’t always go as planned, but remaining calm means giving your child a safe outlet to work through issues and come to the right solutions. Model the behavior you want to see and safely encourage expression to allow them to process what they’re learning.
Routines and Schedules
Establishing and adhering to routines and schedules is key to supporting your child’s education. Whether it’s through school homework, homeschooling, or supplementary learning, it’s important to align these activities with your child’s schedule and lifestyle. This approach ensures that you’re coaching at times when your child is most receptive to learning, thereby maximizing the impact of your efforts.
Explore Alternative Learning
Again, there is no one-size-fits-all approach here. Alternative learning is finding new and different ways to reach educational goals. For some, this might look like pulling them from mainstream schooling. For others, it can be a more hybrid approach, utilizing support and services designed to set your child up for success. For others, it is supplementing education in different environments that benefit learning. For example, learning in nature, going to libraries to consume information, or museums, ie, if your child has a particular interest in a specific topic, you can focus your education journey around this topic to help them learn what they need, along with what they want. It’s about finding the balance and route that works best for you, no matter how unconventional it might seem.
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