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Fact-checked by Vincenza De Falco, Autism & Learning Disabilities Specialist Coach

To say that education is important is an understatement. In reality, education is not only important but also necessary for a fulfilled and successful life. It is a lifelong process that improves academic and social skills in children, setting them on the path of success. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that parents wish to provide the best schooling and educational opportunities for their children.

But do you know which kind of schooling is best for your autistic child? Let’s find out!

Public Schools vs. Homeschooling

Should I send my autistic child to a public school or go for homeschooling?

This is one of the biggest concerns of parents when it comes to the education of autistic children. Before you make a decision, it is important to consider both approaches based on the individual needs and sensitivities of your child.

While public schooling has its pros and cons, the biggest reason why it may not be suitable for your autistic child is that schools often fail to accommodate the individual needs of children.

This kind of teaching approach is unlikely to work well for autistic children as they learn at their own pace and often require additional attention when it comes to learning new stuff. Plus, if your child has sensory issues, learning in a room full of children can be a challenge for him/her.

On the other hand, choosing to homeschool your autistic child can seem like a daunting task. Most parents worry about choosing the right curriculum for autism and following it through. Fortunately, there are multiple amazing options available for homeschooling children with autism that you can choose from.

Scroll down to take a look at some of the best homeschool curriculum for autism. All of them can help your child learn and grow in their own space without facing social anxiety and sensory issues. Choose the one you like the best!

ACE: Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia

Designed as an Applied Behavioral Analysis Program, the Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia (ACE) is one of the best curriculum options for children with autism. It is a software-based program that allows you to customize the curriculum. It comes with a wide range of lesson plans that are designed with different levels of difficulties. This makes ACE a go-to solution for parents looking for a curriculum for their autistic child.

Furthermore, you can rest assured that the lesson plans are made keeping in mind the needs and requirements of autistic children. It is based on 40 years of education and research at the New England Center for Children. The facility is always coming up with cutting edge research to improve its curriculum to make it more suitable for autistic children of all ages.

Teach Town

Teach Town is the perfect curriculum for homeschooling younger children with autism. Along with education, the curriculum also focuses on social skill development in autistic children. There are two main tracks that you can choose with Teach Town:

Teach Town Social Skills

Teach Town Basic

Teach Town basic offers different subjects, including language skills, cognitive skills, vocabulary, etc. It is a computer-based program but also requires parental guidance. One the other hand, Teach Town Social Skills is an online program. It helps children with autism understand certain social cues, how to talk in groups, and identify emotions, among other things.

It is important to understand that additional challenges with social interaction are a major concern for parents when it comes to homeschooling autistic children. Fortunately, Teach Town takes care of that, which makes it one of the best homeschool curriculums for children of autism. The best part is that the program offers a free 30-day trial period. So, you can try out and see how it works for your child without worrying about the cost.

Time 4 Learning

Time 4 Learning is an interactive online curriculum specially designed for children with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. The curriculum is automated, which means that children can learn at their own pace and move through the chapters without adult guidance.

Like Teach Town, Time 4 Learning also focuses on social skill development in children. However, instead of two different programs, it incorporates both social and academic learning into one. Each lesson combines the various aspects of social and academic learning to ensure effective results.

Another reason why a lot of parents prefer this curriculum is that, along with the yearly curriculum, it also offers separate curriculums for After School Learning and Summer Learning. For all these reasons, Time 4 Learning is the perfect curriculum for academic success and skill-building in autistic children.

Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool

Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool curriculum is designed with love by a homeschool mom. However, it is suitable for children who can work independently with or without adult guidance. The best part about this curriculum is that it is available free of cost.

It only requires a computer and an internet connection rather than expensive study materials. Keep in mind that Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool is a Christian curriculum, which means it is a good choice for people looking for an effective Christian Homeschool curriculum.

Homeschooling comes with its challenges and may seem like an overwhelming task. However, it can help your child learn and grow in a loving and comfortable environment, which makes it the ideal option for your child.

Now that you know some of the best homeschool curriculums for autism, you can make an informed decision about the education of your child. Remember, it’s better to opt for what’s good for your child rather than following the newest fads when it comes to education!

Vincenza De Falco is an Autism & Learning Disabilities (LD) specialist coach with extensive experience working with young people with various needs in different settings. Her passion for Autism & LD started as a volunteer at a multi-functional provision for Autism whilst studying for a BA in Theatre, Education and Deaf Studies. Throughout her career, Vincenza continues her professional development alongside working within numerous support and leadership roles in education and charities. Having gained Level 3 in Speech and Language Support, HLTA qualification, Level 3 Award in Education and Training and Level 3 CMI Coaching qualification, Vincenza has furthered her expertise within Autism & LD. Entering the Third Sector as a Project Manager developing and delivering a specialist NEET program, she subsequently joined ThinkForward’s newest venture DFN MoveForward, supporting young people with Autism & LD to successfully transition from education into paid employment. Through 1:1 coaching, family support and training employers to become disability confident, Vincenza builds bespoke programs for young people with the end goal of work readiness and employment. Through Vincenza’s passion for creating systemic change in Disability and employment, she forms part of the successful partnership running the DFN Project Search Supported Internship at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

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