Tips for Helping Autistic Children Learn during the Pandemic

A Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Johnny Poulsen has more than 20 years of executive management, sales distribution, and financial services experience. He also has an MBA from the City University of Seattle. Johnny Poulsen is the CEO of Income Lab, a Denver, CO-based firm that provides retirement income planning services and supports charitable causes, especially those directed at Alzheimer's disease and autism.

Children with autism will likely experience several difficulties as they learn from home during the pandemic, including the challenge of having to process information differently and complete tasks independently. In addition, since they associate specific tasks with locations, doing assignments at home may be difficult, which may increase their anxiety levels.

As a result, it's crucial to create an enabling learning environment at home and familiarize the child with a new structure and routine. Below are several strategies for parents of autistic children who aim to help their children study at home.

To begin with, condition them to the new learning environment by working with them to create a new schedule. Place a copy in a visible place in the house. It helps the child understand and know what to expect every day.

Also, incorporate a lesson plan into the schedule. Get a homework plan from the child's teacher, which contains specific tasks or skills they need to learn. Use innovative tools such as puppets to tell stories they don't understand.

Next, use technology-aided instruction to teach numeracy and literacy skills. Tech tools animate viewers, inspiring them to understand and communicate task requirements. There are many free or inexpensive easy-to-use apps that can be tailored to their needs and learning style.

Last, as a parent, don't try to do everything alone. If you encounter any challenges, seek out support from other parents, teachers, and online resources.