Disclaimer: As a future Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) currently pursuing my master’s degree, I am passionate about sharing insights and information related to parenting, autism and homeschooling based on my personal experiences and research. However, the content shared on this blog is not intended to substitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Parenting is a deeply personal journey, and while I strive to provide valuable insights, every family and situation is unique. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for personalized guidance tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
Can we take a moment to chat about our incredible kiddos and their amazing sensory worlds? As parents navigating the beautiful, albeit sometimes bumpy, journey of raising children with autism, we understand firsthand the intricate dance of sensory sensitivities, seeking behaviors, and the marvelous ways our kids experience the world around them. It’s like stepping into a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, textures, and smells, isn’t it? Homeschooling them is just as interesting. Autism sensory learning is such a huge part of homeschooling a child with autism.
I know that part of my choice to homeschool Bug was that she was struggling so much with her sensory sensitivities in the classroom. We actually had a Sensory Processing Disorder diagnosis before we got our autism diagnosis, because Bug really struggles with sensory issues. Because of that, I have come to understand what her specific sensitivities are, and how to work around and with those.
Let’s be real though – our kiddos are sensory superheroes in their own right! From the gentle touch of a favorite blanket to the thunderous applause of raindrops on the window, they navigate a sensory symphony each day that’s uniquely theirs. But oh, how those sensory experiences can sometimes lead to meltdowns, overwhelm, and tricky moments in our homeschooling adventures. It’s a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, but hey, we’re in this together, right? As fellow autism moms, we’ve got each other’s backs through the sensory storms and sensory joys alike.
Exploring Autism Sensory Learning
Understanding Sensory Processing
In understanding sensory processing, it’s crucial to recognize that children with autism often experience the world in a heightened or unique way. Sensory stimuli that may seem ordinary to others can be overwhelming or distressing for children on the spectrum. This sensitivity can show up in various forms, from aversion to certain textures or sounds to seeking out intense sensory experiences for regulation. By understanding these sensory differences, parents can tailor their homeschooling approach to accommodate or include their child’s specific sensory needs.
Practical Tips:
- Observe and Listen: Take the time to observe your child’s responses to sensory stimuli in various environments and situations. Notice what triggers their sensory sensitivities or seeking behaviors and listen to their verbal and nonverbal cues to understand their experiences better.
- Identify Sensory Preferences: Recognize your child’s sensory preferences and aversions by exploring different sensory experiences together. Pay attention to their reactions to different textures, sounds, smells, tastes, and movements to identify what brings them comfort or discomfort.
- Create a Sensory Profile: Develop a sensory profile for your child by documenting their sensory preferences, sensitivities, and seeking behaviors. Keep track of specific triggers and patterns to identify recurring themes and tailor your homeschooling environment and activities accordingly.
- Provide Sensory-Friendly Spaces: Designate specific areas within your homeschooling environment as sensory-friendly spaces where your child can regulate and recharge. Include sensory tools and materials such as fidget toys, weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones, and sensory bins to support their sensory needs.
- Be Flexible and Responsive: Be flexible and responsive to your child’s sensory needs throughout the homeschooling day. Allow for breaks and sensory regulation activities as needed, and adapt learning activities and routines to accommodate their sensory sensitivities and preferences. Prioritize your child’s comfort and well-being to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Creating Sensory-Friendly Spaces
Incorporate sensory elements into your homeschooling space to engage your child’s senses and promote sensory integration. Introduce soft lighting, soothing colors, and natural materials to create a calming atmosphere. Incorporate sensory tools such as bean bag chairs, textured rugs, and cozy cushions to provide tactile feedback and encourage relaxation. Designate specific areas for different activities, such as a quiet corner for reading or a sensory table for hands-on exploration. By thoughtfully designing your homeschooling space with your child’s sensory needs in mind, you can create a welcoming and supportive environment where they can thrive and learn.
Practical Tips:
- Consider Sensory Input: Evaluate the sensory input in the environment by assessing factors such as lighting, noise levels, and visual stimuli. Opt for natural lighting and minimize harsh fluorescent lighting, reduce background noise, and declutter the space to create a calm and soothing atmosphere.
- Provide Sensory Materials: Introduce a variety of sensory materials and tools that cater to your child’s sensory preferences and needs. Include items like sensory bins filled with tactile materials, soft cushions for seating, and textured rugs for tactile exploration.
- Designate Zones: Designate specific zones within the homeschooling space for different activities to help organize and structure the environment. Create a quiet corner for reading or relaxation, a designated workspace for academic tasks, and a sensory-rich area for hands-on exploration and play.
- Personalize the Space: Involve your child in the process of personalizing the homeschooling space to make it feel welcoming and comfortable. Allow them to choose decorations, artwork, and sensory materials that resonate with their interests and preferences.
- Promote Accessibility: Ensure that the sensory-friendly space is accessible and adaptable to accommodate your child’s changing needs. Arrange furniture and materials in a way that allows for easy movement and navigation, and make adjustments as needed to support your child’s comfort and engagement throughout the homeschooling day.
Engaging Sensory Activities
Incorporating sensory activities into homeschooling allows children to explore the world around them at their own pace and in a way that feels safe and comfortable. These activities encourage creativity, problem-solving, and imaginative play, fostering a love for learning that extends beyond traditional academic subjects. Whether it’s experimenting with sensory playdough, exploring nature through outdoor adventures, or creating sensory-rich art projects, engaging sensory activities provide children with autism with valuable opportunities to connect with their surroundings, express themselves, and develop essential skills for lifelong learning.
Practical Tips:
- Follow Your Child’s Interests: Pay attention to your child’s interests and preferences when selecting sensory activities. Choose activities that align with their interests, whether it’s exploring nature, experimenting with art materials, or engaging in hands-on science experiments.
- Provide Choice and Variety: Offer a variety of sensory activities to cater to your child’s diverse sensory preferences and needs. Include activities that target different senses, such as tactile, auditory, visual, and olfactory experiences, to provide a well-rounded sensory exploration.
- Encourage Exploration and Discovery: Create opportunities for open-ended exploration and discovery during sensory activities. Allow your child to take the lead and explore materials and experiences at their own pace, fostering curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills along the way.
- Integrate Learning Objectives: Incorporate learning objectives into sensory activities to enhance educational outcomes. Tailor activities to target specific learning goals, such as language development, fine motor skills, sensory regulation, or social interaction, while still keeping the activities fun and engaging.
- Be Flexible and Responsive: Be flexible and responsive to your child’s cues and preferences during sensory activities. Allow them to guide the direction of the activity and make adjustments as needed to accommodate their comfort level, attention span, and sensory sensitivities. By prioritizing your child’s enjoyment and engagement, you can create meaningful sensory experiences that support their overall development and well-being.
Incorporating Sensory Tools
Incorporating sensory tools into the homeschooling environment can be instrumental in supporting children with autism and addressing their unique sensory needs. These tools provide tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular input, helping children regulate their sensory systems and maintain focus and engagement during learning activities. From fidget toys and weighted blankets to sensory swings and chewable necklaces, sensory tools offer a variety of options to cater to individual preferences and sensitivities.
When selecting sensory tools, it’s essential to consider your child’s specific sensory profile and preferences. Some children may benefit from tools that provide calming sensory input, such as weighted blankets or compression vests, while others may prefer tools that offer tactile stimulation, like textured fidgets or stress balls. Experiment with different types of sensory tools to determine which ones are most effective and enjoyable for your child, and incorporate them into your homeschooling routine to promote sensory regulation, engagement, and overall well-being.
Practical Tips:
- Assess Individual Needs: Start by assessing your child’s individual sensory needs and preferences. Consider their sensory sensitivities, seeking behaviors, and responses to different types of sensory input to determine which sensory tools may be most beneficial.
- Provide Options: Offer a variety of sensory tools to cater to your child’s diverse sensory preferences and needs. Include options such as fidget toys, weighted blankets, sensory cushions, chewable necklaces, and textured surfaces to provide a range of sensory experiences.
- Introduce Gradually: Introduce sensory tools gradually and allow your child time to acclimate to them. Start with one or two tools at a time and observe how your child responds. Encourage them to explore and experiment with the tools to determine which ones they find most helpful and enjoyable.
- Incorporate Into Routine: Incorporate sensory tools into your homeschooling routine as part of everyday activities and transitions. Use weighted lap pads or sensory cushions during seated activities, offer fidget toys or chewable necklaces during reading or listening sessions, and provide sensory breaks with items like therapy bands or sensory swings.
- Monitor and Adjust: Monitor your child’s responses to sensory tools and be prepared to make adjustments as needed. Pay attention to signs of overstimulation or discomfort and be responsive to your child’s cues. Rotate sensory tools periodically to keep them engaging and effective, and be open to trying new options based on your child’s changing needs and preferences.
Promoting Sensory Regulation
Promoting sensory regulation is key to creating a supportive and conducive learning environment for children with autism during homeschooling. Sensory regulation techniques help children manage their responses to sensory input, maintain emotional balance, and stay focused and engaged in learning activities. By incorporating sensory regulation strategies into your homeschooling routine, you can help your child feel more comfortable, confident, and ready to learn.
Practical Tips:
- Establish a Consistent Routine: Create a structured daily routine that includes regular breaks for sensory regulation activities. Consistency and predictability can help your child feel more secure and regulated throughout the day.
- Offer Sensory Breaks: Incorporate scheduled sensory breaks into your homeschooling routine to allow your child time to engage in calming and regulating activities. Offer options such as sensory bins, quiet corners with weighted blankets, or proprioceptive activities like wall pushes or yoga poses.
- Provide Sensory Tools: Equip your homeschooling environment with a variety of sensory tools and materials that your child can access as needed. Include items like fidget toys, stress balls, sensory cushions, and noise-canceling headphones to support sensory regulation throughout the day.
- Encourage Movement: Encourage movement breaks and physical activity as a way to promote sensory regulation and release excess energy. Incorporate activities like jumping jacks, yoga poses, or dance breaks into your homeschooling schedule to help your child regulate their sensory system.
- Be Mindful of Sensory Triggers: Pay attention to your child’s sensory triggers and be proactive in minimizing or avoiding them whenever possible. Adjust lighting, noise levels, and environmental stimuli to create a sensory-friendly homeschooling environment that supports your child’s sensory regulation needs.
Incorporating sensory activities into homeschooling for children with autism can provide valuable opportunities for engagement, learning, and self-expression. By understanding your child’s unique sensory preferences and needs, you can create a nurturing and inclusive learning environment that fosters growth and development across all areas of development. With creativity, flexibility, and a focus on sensory awareness, you can enrich your homeschooling experience and empower your child to thrive in their learning journey.