Your child arrives home from school you ask, “Do you have any homework to do tonight?” Of course, the answer is always “Yes”. Getting your child’s homework done under any circumstances is difficult, but homework becomes even more difficult when your child has autistism or has Asperger Syndrome.

Follow up:

Homework time may be a period of time that is especially trying for you. You’re tired at the end of the day, and your child has special needs. Therefore, the first order of the day is find some time – even if it is just for a few minutes – to rest. Second, prepare a special place to do the homework – a place that is away from the usual confusion of the family, the television, and the telephone. This will become your child’s specialized environment. They will realize that when he/she is in this area, he/she will be studying and interacting with you. In the beginning of setting up this environment, you will need to be flexible, and you will need to confer with the rest of the family. Ask them not to interrupt, not to enter the room, and to, please, remain as quiet as possible. Remember, this activity is not going to be easy for you, for your affected child, or the rest of the family. Explain to the family the need for all to work together.Tailor your expectations to your child. Realize that subjects do not have to be taught in order. Give your child flexibility. It is your responsibility to remain calm and patient even if you have to explain a concept many times to the child. The child will know when you are frustrated or tired and will play off of that weakness.

Visualize concepts as much as possible. The majority of autistic children learn visually. They are not able to think in a language, bit see in pictures. Use pictures whenever possible to show your point. Consider: The picture of a noun (house) is easier to understand for your child than simply hearing the name of the noun (house).

Homework sessions are a prime time for the autistic child to become distracted by falling into the syndrome of fixation. You know that when this occurs your child thinks only of the subject on which he/she is currently fixated. Instead of seeing this as a problem, use it as a motivation tool. If the child is fixated on the family cat that has just had kittens, use her and the kittens as a teaching tool. Example: Mom cat just had three kittens. How many cats and kittens do we have now? Each kitten has four legs. How many legs do the kittens have in all? Get the idea? Try to go with the flow instead of swimming up stream.

The above were math questions that were solved by visualization. In math, visualization is a difficult concept. Use as many sensory tools as you can. If you don’t have learning blocks to visual math equations, use forks or spoons – anything that will allow the child to visualize the concept! Cut shapes from poster board in order for the child to visualize geometry. As a matter of fact, blocks can be used in algebra as well for visualization.

Above all, keep your instructions short and to the point. Keep them very simple. Stay away from long explanations. Be brief. Visualize as much as possible. Be patient. This child is looking to you to provide the help needed, and the love to see him/her through the next school day.