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May 4, 2020

5 tips to help parents navigate the unique needs of children with autism learning from home

Children on the autism spectrum will face unique challenges as they learn from home during the COVID-19 shutdown.

These children .

They may find it more difficult to independently complete tasks and struggle with managing their time. They are also more likely to have difficulty in writing tasks or ones involving high amounts of language and communication with others.

Children on the autism spectrum locations. This might mean they resist doing schoolwork at home. Anxiety levels, which are often high in this group of students, about what they should be learning.

General such as setting up a learning space, creating structure and routine, and becoming familiar with resources in the Australian Curriculum are good ideas. But parents of children on the autism spectrum may need additional strategies.

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Studies of students on the autism spectrum (studying at school without being physically present) or suggest several helpful strategies for parents.

1. Put together a homework plan

Students learning at home will likely need to engage in independent learning tasks such as completing worksheets or writing assignments. This is somewhat similar to doing homework assigned by a teacher.

But students on the autism spectrum often do less homework than their peers. And they report finding homework .

about assignments from teachers if the communication is limited or unclear. Or they may find their child needs breaks and is unable to complete all their work.

These issues can increase children’s anxiety, lead to meltdowns and create tension between parents and children. Research shows can help.

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In a homework plan, a teacher clearly communicates to parents what the student needs to learn and which tasks can be prioritised over others.

Once parents know what specific knowledge and skills their child needs to learn, they can adjust the amount or nature of tasks to fit the needs of their child.

For example, a teacher sets out in a homework plan that at the end of the task, a student must be able to explain their knowledge about the early settlers. A parent may see their child is struggling to write a full essay.

In this case, the parent can adjust the task so their child can use puppets to tell and record the story instead.

Children on the autism spectrum may find it stressful to think about what may be going on in someone else’s mind. Using an outside tool, like a puppet, to tell another person’s story .

2. Use your child’s special interests

Students on the autism spectrum often to calm themselves. Special interests can also be used to help them manage additional anxiety during the shutdown.

Research shows adapting teaching to incorporate students’ special interests can help students on the autism spectrum . For example, a teacher can use a student’s interest in Lego to help them learn maths skills such as fractions and measurements.

 

Special interests can also in learning tasks, as they see them in the context of an activity that’s important to them.

A parent can help their child learn across the curriculum by using their special interest. For example, a student who is interested is space could work on a project in which they learn about early scientists who developed the solar system (history), write about the importance of space exploration (English, science) and design a new space station (maths, art).

3. Use technology

Technology-aided instruction can help students on the autism spectrum . It can also help them .

Apps are an accessible and fairly inexpensive way to use technology.  as they present information in ways that support their visual learning style.

Apps have been found to be effective in helping children on the autism spectrum . Apps can also be used to create schedules, checklists and language cards.

The provides parents with reviews for a number of apps grouped by skill areas and age groups. A parent can select the literacy group, for instance, and find apps for teaching spelling to children in lower primary grades.

4. Find ways to connect your child to others

Although students on the autism spectrum often experience difficulty in social situations, . During the COVID-19 shutdown, . This may decrease uncertainty and increase students’ confidence.

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is particularly well-suited to students on the autism spectrum as it reduces sensory distractions and the amount of language required.

Students can use programs such as Discord or Google Hangouts to talk to their classmates, play games and work together on assignments.

5. Seek help and don’t try to do everything

Accessing support can with feelings of isolation and anxiety. Education departments in and provide parents of children on the autism spectrum with activities and curriculum information. And provides specific learning strategies.

helps parents connect and provides links to specifically set up to help them during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Parents can also use these sites to connect with other parents. These networks can decrease parent’s stress and help them connect with their child.

, Senior Lecturer, Autism and Inclusive Education,

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