Home schooling your Asperger's child

In this article I am going to outline the key factors
that any parent must know when deciding to
home school their child. Home schooling the child
with Asperger’s can be beneficial because you know
your child better than anyone else. In the home
school environment, routine can be maintained
because there is not the impact of the needs of
other children or other interruptions. Further, you have
the ability to teach to your child’s strengths that may
not be readily recognized by others within the school system.
Because as I am sure that you know it is often not the
individual teachers that are at fault – but overcrowded
and under funded schools are often the bigger problem.

It may also help your child avoid the affects of bullying
that is often associated with any child who is different.
A great deal of research indicates the problems of bullying
in Asperger's children can be very significant and of
course very damaging. Luke Jackson in his excellent book
“Freeks, Geeks & Asperger's Syndrome” talks about the
problems that he experienced as a teenager in school
with bullying (an excellent book that is well worth a read).

The child with Asperger’s Syndrome lacks social skills and
the ability to fit in with their peers, yet they usually crave
this type of interaction. So this can be a very problematic
area for a child with Asperger’s Syndrome. All children
learn a great deal of their social skills in school and it is
no different for the child with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Interacting with other children will not only provide
them with the opportunity to develop some social
skills, but develop life long skills that will be
important to them later in life. At some point in his or her
life, your child will need to develop skills that will help
them interact in society. They will also need to develop
the ability to make decisions in your absence. It is not
likely that they will have the opportunity to learn these
skills in home school, unless you are very active with
other social skills groups. So this element of your
child’s development is one that you must address and
consider when thinking about home schooling. This
can include looking at suitable youth clubs, sports and
leisure groups that your child may be interested in.

You will also need to work on emotions, social situations,
Feelings etc. as part of the home school curriculum.
This can be through discussion, emotions cards,
role-playing, using specially designed computer
software and obviously getting out there in to
the community for real life lessons and social
skills testing. There are now many websites dedicated
to home schooling that I would advise you to take a look
at such as:

http://www.homeeducator.com/
http://www.homeschooling.about.com/
http://www.home-school.com/

It is also important to remember that there are
certain protocols and legal requirements to follow
for home schooling which you will need to check
with your local education board.

In summary - home schooling can be excellent as
it can better meet your child’s needs and help to
reduce bullying. But social skills and interaction
also need to develop and this has to be properly
considered for the home schooled child. As well
as this any parent must take good advice on the
subject and thoroughly research before taking
such a significant step.

Copyright © 2007 Dave Angel