Helping A Child With Autism Find Success at School

Many children with autism attend school and the number is rising.  It has been noted in studies that numerous children with autism are quite successful in school and do well with the right supports.  If your child has autism – especially high functioning autism – and school is a possibility in your child’s future, the following information will be helpful in helping you to support them.

When trying to determine your child’s classes, think about putting them in classes that will gradually move them into group social situations and not do it all at once.  Also, try to put them into classes that would be interesting to them.  For instance, a gym class might not be best for starters due to the social pressure it might put on your child.  However, an art class might be a great beginning because, for the most part, your child could concentrate on his or her own work.

Helping your child by providing an individual aide to help with assignments, navigating classes, keeping paperwork organized and such, would likely help your child not to feel overwhelmed. Having another student as a pal who could sit with them at lunch and at other unstructured times could help your child be less overwhelmed.   Also, creating structured situations for interactions with others, possibly within the confines of a game-playing situation, would be a good way to help expand social skills.

As for books and assignments, even the most organized students without any barriers get confused from time to time.  If your child has a three ring binder that has a notebook or folder for each class in it, this might help them keep assignments straight.  Books are a little more difficult, so arranging for a set of books to keep at home and a separate set to keep at school is often quite helpful.  This way, your child won’t have to remember which books to take home because they will all be there to begin with. 

Daily schedules and checklists help keep your child organized.  Since most of us rely on these things to get through our days or weeks, it is logical that our children would be greatly assisted by them as well.  Each task, school class and item should be individually written.  If you want your child to clean his or her room, listing each item, such as make your bed, throw out trash, vacuum, etc. will help the child focus and not become so overwhelmed.

Counseling, communication coaching, and learning strategies to deal with stress or anger are all ways that your child can be more successful at school.  There are other ideas that can be added to these basics, as well.

Children with autism have been extremely successful when they have the appropriate supports in place.  The supports contained here should help create a sound foundation for your child in school.

Add comment July 10th, 2008

Autism and College – Can it Work?

What can you do if your college- age or soon to be college-age child has autism and there are thoughts and ideas that college would be an appropriate next step?A decade ago, there would be few answers and little hope regarding that question.  Today, however, this isn’t the case. 

Currently, there are numerous programs at colleges throughout the country that help individuals with autism enroll in college, navigate through classes, homework and more, and get the best grades possible.  These programs have helped many individuals with autism move forward in socialization, learning and life.   

For example, a group called Achieving in Higher Education With Autism/Developmental Disabilities (AHEADD) helps students struggling with autism and trying to get – and keep – their grade points up. 

At Community College at Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, one student who has Asperger’s Syndrome had a grade point average of 1.5.  He knew he could do better than that, but at college level, did not feel comfortable with his parents intervening.  He found AHEADD, and by working with the organization, he was able to raise his grade point average from that 1.5 to 3.6. 

Many college students with autism or Asperger’s have a difficult time navigating college life, keeping track of assignments, being away from home.  They must become their own advocates, which is quite a change for them and sometimes a huge surprise and change for their families.  In the long run, however, it helps all involved to grow. 

If you have a child with autism or Asperger’s who is considering college, it is a good idea to check with colleges well in advance and determine whether they have a counselor and/or department that has experience with individuals with autism.  Also, determine whether your child is ready to be away from home, and, if so, how much help and support they will need.  Meet with the staff.  Find out if there are adequate psychological and psychiatric services.  Check to see if there is an organization such as AHEADD that deals specifically with college students who have autism or Asperger’s. 

Once you have determined these things, help your child to the extent that he or she wants your help, especially in directing them to a field of study that they have an interest in. 

Now, more than ever before, it is easier for individuals with autism or Asperger’s to attend college and there is more support for the individuals and their families. The main thing it takes is some encouragement, some hope, some research and some support.  You can find those things through the community and in your family, and they will lead you and your child beyond your wildest dreams.

Add comment July 10th, 2008