ADHD and ASD Homeschooling Tips during Coronavirus | How to Guide Learning at Home

Suddenly Homeschooling because of the Coronavirus? How to Guide Learning at Home

In the many changes to everyday life due to coronavirus, school and day-care closures are one of them. Unexpectedly everything from major universities, to day-care centers have shut down until further notice. Classes are being continued completely online, from home.The shift handing more weight for parents to carry. This journey could be even more complicated with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Trying to keep your child focused, trying to help them get the best grades, to learn as much as possible, and to still enjoy school/learning. 

• What Can I Do To Help My Child? – Make it fun!
  • You don’t want to make things worse than they are, so show your child that this can be a good thing, because it can be. Homeschooling is not always fun, and it’s definitely a big change for your child.
  • Being away from their peers, being able to get out of the house, and being able to have the school experience, are just a few of the things your child is having to deal with. Try to make great moments as much as you can while homeschooling.
  • If your child is in a language class, make some food related to a country that speaks the language. Spanish, make quesadillas. French, make some crepes. If you have a little one learning math, use snacks for simple math problems. Or use snacks as a reward system. Every three questions they answer correctly they can add one cookie to their pile.

• Reach out! You’re not in this alone, reach out to other parents, in your area would be best, because chances are, you’ll meet someone who has a child in the same class as yours. You all can give each other advice and tips, and learn together. Facebook, Gmail, Whatsapp, Skype and group texts are all easy ways to come together. 

• Get organized! Set yourself up for success. Brush up on your child’s subjects, and don’t be afraid to not know something. Organize your materials so you’re not scrambling around at the last minute. And organize your time so you can stay on a set schedule.

• Be patient! The change and pressure can be overwhelming, but stay mindful that it’s not easy for your child either. It’s an unfamiliar change that everyone is adjusting to. Take breaks if you begin to feel overwhelmed, don’t get discouraged. Take a step outside for some fresh air and sunshine. Get a snack with your child or play a game together. And most importantly communicate with your child. Listen to their struggles and let them guide you in helping them. 

Tips For Children With ASD

• Learning & Communication Styles. Understanding your child’s learning style is very important in knowing how to teach them. There are four learning & communication styles; Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Reflective. Teaching in the child’s learning style could make an impact on if the child can attend to and process the information.

• Guidelines. Throughout the range of autism spectrum children struggle with transitions between activities and tasks. This is why a detailed daily class schedule is absolutely vital. A visual aid of this in front of your child will improve their understanding of the time between each task required to complete their projects and assignments. 

• Media Options. Children that fall on the autism spectrum have some difficulty with auditory and visual learning styles. Multiple media options could support this difficulty in the child’s learning style. For children who are visual learners, any combination of or form of video, literature, pictures, charts and graphs would relay the information to the child the best. For children who are auditory learners would benefit best with tape recordings of the information. And for children who have difficulty with both auditory and visual learning styles would be best benefited by tactile tools. Things like board games, computer games, notebooks, flashcards, or crafty projects. 

• Frequent Breaks. Having a scheduled 5 minute break at least every hour gives your child the chance to cool down and not feel overwhelmed. Breaks should also be added as needed. Help your child be mindful of their feelings, so if your child is struggling give them the chance to take a 5 minute break to cool back down. This could be letting them play with a puzzle or listen to music on their own. 
• Quiet Zone. Having a safe space in the house your child can go to, to avoid stimulus would be great preventing sensory overload. Weighted blankets, noise canceling headphones, ear plugs, low lights, or even a sleep mask, would all help your child overcome sensory overload, cool down, and resume their lessons feeling refreshed. 

Tips For Children With ADHD

• Learning Styles. The first step is knowing your child’s learning style. If you don’t know you can have them take a quick quiz.
  • Visual learners should use flash cards and diagrams, type up their notes in different styles, colors, and font sizes. Games like crossword puzzles, scrabble, and other word games would be beneficial.
  • Auditory learners should study with a tape recording, so they can listen to it when reviewing for tests. Group studying would also help, being able to talk to others about their lessons. Also check for audio versions of books and textbooks.
  • Tactile/kinesthetic learners should use props. Anything from building blocks, cards, jelly beans for counting, or alphabet cereal pieces to spell words. Performing mild science experiments, or acting out history scenes would be beneficial. Consider building dioramas or collages, it could help your child grasp information at an increased rate. 
• Ipads & Tablets. These can be used for good and not evil. When used properly, Ipads and tablets work wonders for children with ADHD. The same reason they’re addictive and toxic, is the same reason they’re a key for success. The use of educational apps, reinforces and gives your child a chance to implement their school lessons in a different environment. There are parental apps and settings you can use to ensure your child is not sneaking onto other apps, helping them stay focused on their lessons.
• Lead By Example. Your child will more than likely do something if they see you doing it. So if you want your child to read, then you should read. Set aside some screen-free time for the house and show them that you practice what you preach. Converse with them on what the both of you are reading, or maybe even read the same book together.
• Keep A Journal. Getting your child a journal could help them stay focused long term. Writing things they think, do, and/or learn. To work on their writing skills have them write about things they’re interested in, video games, cartoons, super heroes etc.

Autism Research Institute 

ADDitude

Abeka

Dream Box Learning

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For more help please reach out to a therapist that does tele-therapy so you do not have to leave your home and stay safe from the coronavirus!  Total Life Counseling has counselors that can help with stress tips, meditation, mindfulness and more to help you through this tough time!  Give us a call 407-248-0030 for a complimentary 15 minute call.  Hang in there and stay safe!

Jim West

Adolescent Expert, Jim West offers expert advice to Local and National TV News & Schools Internationally and provides phone or face-to-face counseling in the Orlando area. Jim is an Author, Communicator, School Consultant, Nationally Certified and State Licensed Counselor and specializes in counseling for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). Jim has been interviewed for multiple TV, Radio, magazine and newspaper articles. He is president of Total Life Counseling Center and his Total Life approach accelerates the therapeutic & healing process by relating to children, adolescents and adults and incorporating wellness. Jim’s clients travel from all over Florida, England, Georgia, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas as he has been able to treat clients with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Depression and more with FDA approved supplements and Dietary Modifications. 85% of his clients have not needed medication or used less medication than when they first came to Total Life Counseling Center.

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