Asperger Homeschooling

Offers Many Advantages

Asperger homeschooling programs are being embraced by families as the preferred vehicle for educating their children diagnosed with this disorder. There are some very good reasons for families to consider this teaching approach!

While "regular" school may offer many opportunities for social interaction, the school environment can be overwhelming and distracting for children and adolescents with AS. There are plenty
of explanations why Asperger homeschooling programs are emerging on the in-home education scene.

You'll want to consider some things before making a decision about adopting a home schooling program for a child with a pervasive developmental disorder. Whereas many parents find that the school environment is conducive to learning, others find that the home is the
best place to educate.

How does the child's environment affect his or her learning?

The first thing to consider is whether the school environment is helpful or harmful to the child.

• Many children with pervasive developmental disorders thrive in
  the school setting because it offers structure and routine.
  
  
• Others find the environment to be confusing and frightening.

How about creating some of your own educational toys to be used
and enjoyed in your home?

Sensory issues can run into overdrive in the school setting.

• Some children have difficulty filtering out distracting sounds in
  the distance that other children don’t even notice.

• Fluorescent lighting has a subtle flickering undertone that is very annoying to some children.
  
  
• Too much visual stimulation can pose problems as well.

What about the inclusion of social interaction?

Some people argue that the school setting doesn't really reflect natural social interactions, since students are intended to focus on their studies. That's when some homeschooling tips can come in handy.

Another schooling factor to consider is the age of your child and the different phases he or she might be going through.

Schooling at home might not appear to have much social interaction, which is simply not true. There are local networks of homeschoolers with many shared activites, resources and get-togethers planned for social time, when there is ample opportunity to integrate social skill development into your child's homeschooling program.

Many children with conditions like Asperger syndrome need help learning how to interact with others. Recess and lunchtime do not provide adequate opportunities to develop good social skills. In fact, many children with developmental disorders are further isolated from others in these settings.

Other educational avenues to consider, depending on your child's age,
are extracurricular camps, possible vocational training, and perhaps even boarding school.

It's important to remember that each child is unique. There is no single approach that suits the entire autistic population. The decision about creating an Asperger homeschooling environment rests on the educated judgment of you, the parent.

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