Family Homework
It is amazing how much can be accomplished in 30 minutes when the television is turned off and family member gather around the table after supper. Family homework time decreases procrastination about finishing homework assignments and allows people to interact and make connections.
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Some students with autism are easily distracted by various noises, activities, and the general hustle and bustle that takes place in a house on school nights. It might be unreasonable to expect a distractible person to finish homework assignments amid all that confusion. Gathering everyone in the same room, turning off distractions, and slowing the pace encourages individuals with autism to focus on the task at hand, and allows time for asking for help with homework if needed.
Even individuals with autism who have excellent academic skills may struggle with completing homework assignments independently. Autism can interfere with concentration and it can cause an unsupervised student to get “stuck” on one aspect of an assignment, keeping them from moving ahead. When several people are working around the table together, they can encourage each other to finish assignments and they work together to solve problems if one person reaches a dead end.
Sometimes individuals with autism do not have the same homework load as their brothers and sisters, but they can still participate in homework time with the family in the evenings. Parents can find books, magazines, or newspapers to match a student’s age and functioning level. A youngster might write a letter to his grandmamma or color a picture for an elderly neighbor.
Parents can catch up on paying bills, make a grocery list, or take a few minutes to read the newspaper or a book. After homework assignments are finished, family members could enjoy a light snack while reading one chapter of an adventure book or playing a short game.
TIP FOR THE DAY. I realize most families have such harried schedules that this proposition to begin a tradition of family homework on school nights seems impossible or unrealistic. But an investment of even 15 minutes each night with everyone focusing without the distractions of television and other electronics reaps huge dividends over time.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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