dear friends,
i keep sharing so many posts almost every day because i feel parents and
teachers need to continuously update themselves on the vast and evolving
subject of autism care&training. Keep spreading the ideas to other parents
you know, for the sake of all our children.
thanks and regards
Sangeetha John
School or Home School? Education is not just an either/or process!
Self-contained classrooms for children with special needs or mainstream
inclusion? Formal schools or home school? We tend to look at education as
an all or nothing decision. When it comes to full days at school, it is
plain that for many children on the spectrum, it is simply too mentally and
emotionally draining for their nervous systems to handle. If you have
followed the series on cognitive issues in autism, we discussed how the
brains of people on the spectrum have difficulty processing multiple
information simultaneously. Essentially this means that 80% of what the
neurotypical child processes subconsciously with minimal mental energy,
children on the spectrum have to process consciously (think it though),
which is mentally draining. Everything about school, sensory bombardment,
task performance demands, and ongoing social/interaction requirements are
very overwhelming for many on the spectrum. Their brains often become taxed
and overloaded, requiring them to “shutdown” in order to avoid overload. A
child cannot learn in shutdown mode!
What to do? Is home school alone the answer? For some yes it has worked out
really well. However, for many families this is not an option. It requires
parents to stay home, have the ability and learn to teach, and have the
money and connections to pull it off. The nice thing about home schooling,
the teacher (parent) is very committed and can tailor all teachings to the
strengths, preferences, and learning style of the child. Many argue that it
limits social learning since they are not in a class. My advice to all that
home school is to join a home schooling group. They get together on a
regular basis for social activities, community outings, and field trips.
You can tailor play dates and group activities to match the child. The
child gets the “just right dose” of social stimulation because the parent
can control it. You can set up and facilitate social activities tailored to
the objectives for your child. This is the ultimate for many children who
find regular school simply too demanding and overwhelming. However, this is
not an option for the majority of parents in our current society.
What other options are there? It doesn’t have to be an either/or question
(regular school or home school). For most, the best option may be a little
of both. Many children can handle part time school (2-3 hours a day),
especially for courses that they like and can handle. The children can
avoid being overwhelmed by the cafeteria, gym, change of classes,
assembles, or other events that overwhelm them. Also, for short durations,
school can be mediated with peer mentors that can help include the child in
the school activities, facilitate social interaction, and protect from
bullying. Outside the classroom the child can utilize online classes.
Online classes have been an awesome alternative for children on the
spectrum. They can learn in the comfort of their “safe” home, on their own
time, and at their own speed. Part time also allows the child to learn many
of the skills in their natural settings (home, shopping, banking, etc.),
rather than the artificial setting of the classroom. Between home school
groups and curriculums, online classes, and part time school, you can
design a mix that matches your child’s learning style and processing
abilities. Learning can be fun, and the child can feel “safe, accepted, and
competent” in learning!
