Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) makes it difficult for children to study in a regular, standard classroom setting. There are a variety of factors like the language, the atmosphere, the people around them (family and friends), and the activities can make these children confused and overstimulated. According to clinical psychologist Deborah Offner, Ph.D., “If your child’s mental health condition is affecting their functioning at school, your first step should be to identify their condition with either a mental health professional or pediatrician and present this diagnostic information to the school.”
Working with a tutor can help children with ASD to cope with the classroom setting. Social interaction is the main obstacle for these children.
Developing Social Skills With A Private Tutor
Tutors have the necessary skills which can help build the children with ASD with adequate social skills they can apply in their daily interaction in school. These tutors can evaluate the children’s social capabilities and review and teach basic skills like saying please and thank you.
Tutors Can Teach Kids How To Recognize Emotions
Tutors can also help children with emotion recognition. They can also help children express empathy towards others and help them understand different emotions. Also, tutors can teach children with ASD on the proper response to someone who expresses specific feelings. The tutors use flashcards with pictures that display different emotions which aid the child in identifying that particular emotion and moods from the person.
Kids With ASD Benefit From Having A Set Schedule
Scheduled visits or meetings with the tutors can help children with ASD avoid confusion. Parents can prepare the schedule and have it laminated so the children can bring it with them wherever they go to school. It is also helpful to make it visible. Children with ASD can function well in the environment if they know what they should expect. The tutors, on the other hand, can help the student focus and follow the schedule.
Overstimulation In The Classroom? Solution: In-Home Tutoring Sessions
Children with ASD may find it difficult to concentrate on their work when they are in a noisy setting. Home tutoring is one of the best environments to teach these students as this provides quiet and less distracting surroundings. Aside from following the set schedules, children with ASD can work better in a familiar place. The tutor can also guide them on focusing their attention on their work rather than looking around. In a classroom setting, these children can focus more if they are seated at the front.
These children with ASD may have obsessive behavior in organizing and arranging things. If this is present in the classroom, the tutor may allow the child to do these activities when they are free. This can also be a reward when they show good behavior.
It is not easy to go through the regular education system if the child has ASD. But there are tools the parents, teacher, and tutors can engage with to help him. These children should also undergo special education tutoring as early as possible as it provides them with the necessary social skills they need.
Online Tutoring And Children With ASD
Children with ASD face many challenges. More often, their parents desire to meet their child’s special needs in the educational setting and also want their child to succeed.
In reality, the educational setting has almost all the emotional and educational struggles an autistic child may face. The other thing that makes the situation complicated is that these children also face difficulty in personal communication and large group instructions.
Unfortunately, the number of children diagnosed with ASD is increasing. Tutoring these children is one way to enhance and develop their skills. Online tutoring, on the other hand, is also one of the right options a parent can do as this provides their child an educational opportunity in a safe, comfortable environment.
For Dr. Crystal Lee, a licensed psychologist in Los Angeles, California, “I cannot stress enough the importance of working on a transition plan the spring and summer before starting college. This is when family, friends, and supportive professionals can come together and figure out what specific supports the student needs to be successful in college. With some preparation, the inevitable curveballs and stressors of college will feel more manageable.”
Children With Autism And Education
According to Dr. Paula Kluth, a consultant, teacher, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities, “Students with autism may have unique needs with learning, social skills, and communication.” If you have experience working or handling children with ASD, you should know that having early intervention is necessary for helping these children. Having early intervention help makes a huge difference in the development of children with any form of autism. This is very similar in education, if they fall behind, it may be difficult for them to get back to where they need to be.
Autistic children easily feel insecure inside a large classroom. When they feel insecure, their learning can also be affected. Also, this setting can also increase their anxiety levels. This makes them unable to participate in the classroom which then loses valuable instruction time. Online tutoring helps these children learn without being vulnerable and feeling insecure.
The Benefits Of Online Tutoring To Kids With Autism
Technology made the dreams of other people in the early years possible. Children with autism possess a different set of skills. These children may have verbal communication difficulties but this can be improved with the use of technology and tutoring. Children today love technology, but autistic children are attracted to its limitless possibilities.
Online tutoring is one of the computer-based solutions parents may seek to attend to the needs of their autistic children. In this setting, the children are allowed to work at their own pace and on their language and communication skills. They only have a medium where they can be comfortable. With online tutoring, these children won’t have to compete with everybody else like in the classroom.
Additionally, therapy for your kid with autism can also be made easier and more convenient through an online application called BetterHelp. BetterHelp has a team of efficient and qualified therapists who are trained to deal with and discuss different mental health illnesses, including autism. Learn how to conveniently sign up by clicking here. Who knows – the help you get might be the only thing you’ll need.