Health Information

This fall we begin our fourth year of homeschooling our son is now fourteen years old with high functioning autism. Homeschooling has been a good option for us, at least as an interim measure (discussed the pros and cons of high school!), But one of the most difficult was the fight against the myth that education means zero common household socialization.

Every time explaining that education at home, we learned of at least one parent or a teacher in question -

“But how can learn to socialize is just?”

“The public school is an ideal place to learn to make friends!”

“Do not worry it will not develop social skills?

In fact, however, experience in public schools Tom was much more insulating than homeschool. Here’s why.

In public school, Tom was in an “autism as” the class with nine children, none of which could act as role models and they all lived in other school districts (which was in a PC-based, not a neighborhood) . Education at home, Tom can take courses focused on education at home or participate in a wide range of activities with local authorities, the typical peers.

In public schools, Tom therapies are often expected to conflict with social experiences and / or important, but not academic, such as music, art, sport and recreation. At school, at home, we set all-inclusive, non-academic experiences. Even better, you can carefully select inclusive, non-academic experiences, so that our son can play with children with similar talents and passions and learn to work in groups (through the band, fitness and education projects in home together.)

In public school, the emphasis was on strengthening the teaching of the “typical” learning and social skills so that our son could learn through oral presentations and express themselves through speech and writing. At school, at home, while working on these skills, you can also enable and encourage our child to learn and express themselves through observing the natural world through art, music, construction and more. What this means is that Tom can not display their achievements in an environment where respect earned cash (on stage at a geography fair, etc.).

In public school, children like our son are usually foreign students, in and out of specific classes, “as they can.” Worse, they are often subjected to intimidation. The playground and gym, where at least some typical children are able to socialize freely, are the most difficult times for all our children. When things are not working properly, it can take months to make a change. In homeschooling, we can choose where Tom interacting with typical peers – so you have a reasonable opportunity to connect in a positive way if things are not working well, we can make a change during the night ..

In public school, children learn to interact with their peers – and with authority figures. The expectations are constantly changing, as companions of their age and demand rises. In home schooling our child learns to interact with community members of all ages. As a result, gained skills – in the library, supermarket, local theater, the local conservatory, the bird watching club, museums – that will last a lifetime.

There is much more to say about the benefits of homeschooling – and why homeschooling can effectively improve social skills. As I mentioned, we can make a change sometime in the future … or can not. In some public places, and for some children, public school is really an ideal choice. But for all the readers who think homeschooling your child with autism – and those who feared that the isolation of homeschool = – is important to clarify things!

Leave a Reply