✨When You Just Need Someone to Tell You What to Do
Ever find yourself sitting on the floor in your closet…
or your bathroom…
or your bedroom…
Or maybe you’re sitting at the table long after your children have walked away (or been sent away—no judgment here).
And the thoughts start creeping in:
Am I doing enough?
Are they actually learning anything?
Did I make the wrong choice?
You try to remind yourself that you’ve seen progress…
but on days like this, it’s hard to believe it.
If this sounds like you—you are not alone.
👉 There is a lot of advice out there…
but not a lot of real-life, doable steps.
So instead of theory, here are practical homeschooling tips for parents of autistic children that you can start using today.
🧠 Tip 1: Start With Regulation (Before You Start School)
👉 If your child is dysregulated, learning won’t happen.
Movement Matters
This does NOT have to be complicated.
- YouTube brain breaks (search: brain break, Simon Says, color challenge)
- Running outside
- Jumping jacks
- Jumping over a cup or paper
In our home, we’ve collected things over time:
- trampoline
- balance boards
- cones and beanbags
But honestly?
👉 Use what you have.
Quiet Time (When Needed)
Some kids need:
- silence
- music
- headphones
- a cozy space
That’s not avoidance—that’s regulation.
Sensory Tools
Every child is different.
- My son uses specific toys as fidgets
- My daughter prefers deep pressure
There’s no “right” way—just what works for your child
✔️ Action Steps
- Observe your child for 2–3 days
- Identify 3–5 tools that help – acknowledge that those tools may change from day-to-day
- Build those into your start of day
💛 “We don’t start with curriculum—we start with regulation.”
🧩 Tip 2: Use a Simple, Flexible Routine (Not a Strict Schedule)y Idea:
👉 Structure helps—but rigidity hurts.
What This Looks Like
- First → Then approach
- 2–3 core subjects per day
- No strict start or end times
If math takes:
- 15 minutes → great
- 45 minutes → also great
👉 Quality over quantity
“But what about required hours?”
Life skills count.
- Conversations in the car
- Cooking
- Daily routines
👉 That is learning too.
✔️ Action Steps
- Pick 3 “must-do” items daily (reading, math, life skill)
- Let the rest be flexible
- Use visuals if helpful (keep them simple!)
Why It Works
Builds predictability without pressure
Reduces power struggles
Supports executive functioning
🔄 Tip 3: Use Low-Prep, Repeatable Learning Activities
👉 You do NOT need new ideas every day.
What This Looks Like
- Reading journal (we’ve used Charlotte’s Web, Mary Poppins, and more)
- Matching/sorting (great for language, math, life skills)
- Repeated formats
- Themed or interest-based learning
Once you build a system…
👉 You can reuse it over and over again.
✔️ Action Steps
- Choose 2–3 repeatable activities
- Rotate them during the week
- Let your child become comfortable with them
💛 “The goal isn’t variety—it’s confidence through repetition.”
🌎 Tip 4: Turn Everyday Life Into Learning Opportunities
👉 Learning doesn’t only happen at a table.
What This Looks Like
- Math while cooking
- Reading signs in the community
- Life skills (hygiene, chores, independence)
✔️ Action Steps
- Pick ONE life skill per week
(zipping coats, washing faces, opening containers, getting dressed, wiping their own butt, etc.) - Involve your child daily
(even just talking while doing chores) - Celebrate progress—not perfection
💛 In our home: progress is progress – We don’t talk about perfection
(And yes… if you sang that like Bruno, you’re not alone 😂)
Why It Matters
Reduces pressure on “school time”
Builds independence
Makes learning meaningful
💬 Tip 5: Follow Your Child’s Interests (Even If It Feels Random)
👉 Engagement increases learning.
What This Looks Like
- Dinosaurs → reading, math, writing
- Music → rhythm, counting
- Shows → comprehension, storytelling
In our home, we’ve done:
- tornadoes
- animals
- Halloween
- current favorites
✔️ Action Steps
- Ask: What are they drawn to?
- Build learning around that
- Keep it simple
Real-Life Example
If your child loves cars:
- Math → inside a drawn car
- Reading → Read a book about cars
- Writing → “What do you like about cars?”
- Science → how cars work
- Life skills → washing the car
👉 Same skill. Different delivery.
🤝 Tip 6: Stop Comparing (Your Child or Your Homeschool)
👉 Comparison creates pressure you don’t need.
What This Looks Like
- Letting go of grade-level expectations
- Ignoring what everyone else is doing
- Focusing on YOUR child
My daughter doesn’t understand symmetry.
So we moved on.
👉 Because she does understand pre-algebra and coding.
✔️ Action Steps
- Track small wins weekly – celebratory dance parties work wonders in our home
- Limit comparison on social media – leave social media to finding ideas and building community
- Reframe success
💛 Progress > Perfection (always)
💛 Tip 7: Take Care of Yourself (Even in Small Ways)
👉 You cannot pour from an empty cup.
What This Looks Like
- Quiet time (mine is at night)
- Movement (even if it’s dancing in the kitchen)
- Boundaries (yes—even with your kids)
I:
- wake up early to work out
- read daily
- protect that time
And yes… it took years to build.
✔️ Action Steps
- Choose ONE habit
- Add it to your routine
- Protect it
👉 Because you matter too.
🌿Conclusion: Start Small, Stay Consistent
That was a lot.
But here’s what matters most:
You don’t need to do everything today.
👉 Start with ONE tip
👉 Build from there
💛 “Homeschooling your autistic child doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. When you focus on what actually works, learning becomes something you build together—one small step at a time.”
👉
“Need help putting this into action? Grab my free Calm & Simple Homeschool Starter Kit and start building your routine today.”