Should I Homeschool My Child on the Autism Spectrum?

Even when parents have all the skills and knowledge needed to homeschool their children on the autism spectrum, some still lack the confidence and ask themselves, “Can I really do this?” Most of the time, parents with a child on the autism spectrum are very well informed about autism. Usually, they know more about autism than the average public school teacher and principal.

When children with special needs attend public schools they are placed on an “individualized education plan” (IEP) which is a unique academic program that is individually tailored for each student. Homeschooling accomplishes that exact same goal. Parents who homeschool their children control how, when, where, and what their children learn. As a result, homeschooling can be an excellent option for students who need personalized care.

The most important issue for families to address is whether they think they can handle educating their own child. The response to this question will be different for every family. This year because of the COVID-19 pandemic I had to decide whether I would homeschool my daughter or put her in our school district's online school. In my case, I decided that my daughter was too strong-willed for me to homeschool. She generally defies authority but she thrives in an environment where there is social pressure to excel. For example, she loves answering questions that other students in her class do not know. My daughter is positively reinforced by getting good grades. She also enjoys receiving positive attention from her teachers and peers. Even though I am highly qualified to teach my daughter at home, due to her personality and the introverted nature of homeschooling, I decided it would not be a good fit for us.

If you do decide to homeschool your child there are an abundance of educational programs, as well as online and local support groups. Other relevant information is accessible online which will help pretty much any family get the hang of homeschooling their child on the autism spectrum.

Advantages of Homeschooling a Child on the Autism Spectrum

• The parent can keep distractions and stressors at a minimum in the educational setting.

• The child will be safe from bullying or other forms of harassment.

• The parent can customize every part of their child's education to meet their specific needs.

• Parents can model proper social skills and these can be integrated into the curriculum.

• Since your schedule will be flexible you can incorporate your child's various therapies into the "school day" and allow your child to take breaks as needed.

Disadvantages of Homeschooling a Child on the Autism Spectrum

• Not all states offer special education services to homeschoolers. Contact your state board of education to determine whether these services are available in your state or not.

• If both parents have to work outside the home, they may not have the time or money to homeschool.

• Educating a child with special needs can be stressful and overwhelming without the proper support systems in place. Research all the resources available to you where you live before taking on the huge responsibility of homeschooling your child with special needs. For example, in some states, Medicaid will pay for an ABA therapist to come into your home and help you with the child during the school day.

Source: Time4Learning. 2020. Homeschool Vs Public School For Students With Autism. [online] Available at: <https://www.time4learning.com/homeschooling/special-needs/autism/homeschool-vs-public-school.html> [Accessed 19 September 2020].