Homework Issues with Autism
September 2nd, 2009 | 
Author: Last year we had some problems with Dakota not doing his homework. He started school in May full time and he would get homework. There were days it would be a fight just to get it done. I really didn’t understand why. At first I thought it was just the fact that he didn’t want to do it. Which I am sure there were times he just didn’t want to do it. I don’t think he should be exempt from homework. As he is just like any kid in the classroom and should do it. As this is the second day of school and his homework has been pretty easy as to just answering a question and reading a book so far. I know that there will be struggles. The teacher and I are prepared for them and he is going to attempt it. We even agreed that he could use the laptop. He doesn’t know that yet. But I can print his homework when he is doing typing it. That will come later down the road if need be.
I came across an interesting article called “Should Autistic Children Be Exempt From Homework? By Dr Tony Attwood“.
He said there are two reasons that there are struggles with homework one being the stress of being at school and the second is due to their profile of cognitive skills. Which I can relate to the first one as I can see when Dakota comes home he shuts down. I am sure in time that will get better.
Stressors at School
- Learn with traditional curriculum but encounter additional learning experiences and stress.
- Learning only by mistakes is NOT the most efficient way to learn.
- difficulty in reading and responding to emotions
- unexpected changes in routine
- noisy classroom
I am not getting into the cognitive side but if your interested it suggests things on supervision, memory, emotions, etc. Which basically is what we have set up in Daktoa’s IEP and we can change it as necessary. The teacher is really great at communication so I think we can accommodate him along the way.
I think there are ways to accommodate the kids to get their homework done. It’s a matter of coming up with creative ideas and the school and parents working together. Maybe sometime into the year I will have some more ideas on this.
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Posted in Autism | 
Tags: asd, aspergers, Autism, Coginitive, High Functioning Autism, Homework issues, school, Stress
12 Responses to “Homework Issues with Autism”
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best of luck..
i wish you the best for Dakota..
.-= shraddha@theselfloveproject´s last blog ..HAPPY WISHES =-.
admin Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:31 am
Thank you! Things will work out. I am sure of it.
I so agree with you. Be creative seems to be a great way to do it. You know your son so you do what’s best and the school should aide you with it
I would think a school would be anxious to work with parents on different and creative ways to help children learn. I do hope they will work with you.
Judy
.-= SquirrelQueen´s last blog ..Keep This Thought In Mind =-.
admin Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:34 am
His teacher is doing great right now working with me. She has been letting me know how his day has been going. So right now we are in a great communication.
I’m guessing the school will be pleased that you want to work together since so many parents think it’s all up to the school.
Best of lucky
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..Wanting more =-.
admin Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:35 am
The teacher is absolutely fantastic. We talked about the issues a week before school and as new ones come up we shall talk about them. So far so good. So far we haven’t had home work trouble. He gave me a little of a hard time yesterday to do a worksheet. But he did it.
What an awesome teacher he seems to have. So glad you and she are communicating so very much. Using the computer will be very helpful.
I have NO doubt you will come up with something fantastic for Dakota! You are creative and I know you can do it. I wish I could help, but mine has never had homework yet…haha. But I can totally relate to the shutting down factor after work. Gannon comes home on his PE days and crashes! On the other days or I guess his rough days, he tried to fall asleep during dinner and is very whiney most of the night. Poor kiddos!
.-= Sherri´s last blog ..AthousandWordthursday =-.
admin Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Dakota shut down again tonight for a little while. But so far he has been cooperating with his homework. I am sure there will be battles. But for now we are good. LOL
I wish you success in your efforts. I am having trouble getting my daughter’s school to even give her homework. She’s in 4th grade, I’m afraid I am going to have to put it in her IEP. It’s sad when I have to put Homework in her IEP. Good luck
.-= 3blessedangels´s last blog ..What’s Wrong With That Child? =-.
admin Reply:
September 4th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Why won’t they give her homework? Yeah that is said when you have to put it in an IEP. Good Luck.