Homework Part 1
With just a few exceptions, kids resist homework, whether they are diagnosed with autism or not. Homework is challenging for many families, and autism can add another dimension to the conflict. What issues related to autism have the potential for escalating conflict between parents and students when it comes to homework?
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Depending on age, school placement, and teacher expectations, your youngster with autism may or may not have homework assignments. If they do, indeed, have homework assignments, one or more of the following autism-related factors may cause problems.
(1) Individuals with autism often resist changes in routine. If homework is not a regular part of their daily schedule, they may balk when asked to add a new activity to the after-school routine.
(2) Some youngsters may need some help comprehending and completing the assignments. Even kids who are very bright may have some deficits in attention to the teacher or in receptive language that make it difficult for them to understand or remember teacher instructions or written instructions for homework assignments.
(3) Some students may need some encouragement to focus on and complete a task. Individuals with autism can be easily distracted by sounds and activities swirling around them. Others are inattentive or disconnected from the task at hand, and may need reminders to focus on the homework assignment.
(4) For a variety of reasons, some youngsters with autism are simply not able to work independently. In this case, it is not wise for us to send them off to their rooms with a “command” to do finish their homework…..or else!
(5) Some youngsters who seem to understand the subject matter in class may not transfer that comprehension to the home setting. People with autism are often sharply focused on context, making it difficult to transfer information to different settings.
(6) Stress increases in the evenings as deadlines loom, so some individuals with autism will “melt-down” at the most inopportune times.
It is up to teachers to take all these factors into consideration when assigning homework. And it is up to family members to set the tone for homework each evening. Part 2 of this discussion about homework focuses three strategies that can diffuse the homework battles.
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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