Autism Support Group

hi, my name is shannon. my son, nickname bop, is fixing to be tested for the 2nd time for autism. i am having a really hard time helping him with homework. i don't know if he can't concentrate, doesn't comprehend or just doesn't want to do it. i am getting really frusturated because i don't know how to help him. homework usually ends with me losing my temper and both of us crying. i need to know what i am doing wrong. any suggestions?

Hi Bopsmom.

Does your son have a diagnosis of Autism?

Why is he being tested a second time?

I'm not sure that you are doing anything wrong. It is probably a communication issue (not understanding each other).

How old is your son?

Is he struggling in all subjects or just one or two?

I will be back online tomorrow and see what is going on with you.

you need to break the task down into smaller chunks use pictures when possible.

let me know what you need help with

shell

It's possible that your son could understand the concepts but may be having trouble with the communication - either how it's being communicated to him or how he's expected to communicate his knowledge. My son had trouble understanding anything where more than one word was used to describe the same thing. For example, he understood "four minus one is three," but if his homework used the words "less than" or "fewer than" it would throw him and he'd get frustrated. It's not easy - but be patient and try to figure out what's bothering him and go from there.

It can also help to do homework on the same schedule - same time, same chair at the table, every day. Then it becomes part of the routine and will be something that he's expecting. You can also offer a reward for getting it done, like an extra story before bedtime or some extra playground time, whatever works for you.

thank u so much for your reply. i will try and answer your questions as best i can. he was tested right before he turned 3 and weiskoff in louisville, ky. we went thru the first steps program and when they tested him he was borderline. he had a good day that day, of course. lol.. he is 7, turning 8 in november. he is being tested a second time because he is not doing so well in school. his main problem right now is reading and comprehending what he is reading. but he excels wonderfully in math. his answer for everything begins with all about, he has a one track mind and has a tendency to get stuck on one thing. look forward to hearing from you again. thanks so much

i need help with reading and comprehension. he is a little whiz when it comes to math. simple spelling words are ok. but now we are getting into long vowels and he just guesses at the spelling. any tips?

My son also excels in the same area bop does and has the same difficulties. He is the same age and was diagnosed (finally) at the end of Kindergarten.

My son does a lot of phonics. I'm not sure where he learned how to do them, but listening to him read and sound out words while he's writing, I can tell that's what he's doing.

There are a few things that have helped our situation 1. The speech teachers that Justin has at school. He mainly sees these teachers for comprehension. 2. Medication. Because Justin had such a hard time focusing, his physician prescribed ADHD meds. The doctor said he didn't believe Justin had ADHD, but that it might help with concentration at school (which then helped with concentration on listening to stories, concentration on fine motor skills, e.g. writing) 3. Reading at home with picture books. It has taken two years, but Justin now looks at the pictures on the page and makes comments - SO AWESOME!!!

The English language is so hard since the rules don't always apply. For someone with ASD, I can't imagine how that would feel. Maybe horribly confusing and frustrating?

I don't know what the Hooked on Phonics curriculum is like, but maybe that's a possiblity?

i should also mention that i have a nephew who is going on 11 with autism. i have gotten most of my education through him believe it or not. my sister in law is really good at passing info along. we both have 2 kids. a boy and a girl. both the girls are ok. i know this can be genetic, could it be passed on to JUST the males?

Post edited by: bopsmom, at: 09/19/2008 21:17

Many of his letters will see the same to him for example P and Q though you can see the differance he will not .Cover all the letters on the word he is trying to spell reveal one letter at a time each time he gets them right give a treat and lots of praise many kids on the spectrum will not work for nothing lol after all you would you go to work and not be paid.

you have to make it intresting make up a spelling song.

has he been tested for dyslexia

try to find a topic that he is interested in. Maybe it's trucks.... then work on the basic words that relate to trucks (wheels, road, drive, doors....etc.....) you can easily make flash cards of truck words maybe start with a sentence that you can help him learn to say. If he cannot spell words, but knows letters, make the word/flashcard with pictures, and have him match and communicate the word, then gradually take the picutures off, and have words, next take out a letter or two of the word (ie: TRUCK = T_UCK) and see if he can id it. Some may be memorized, but keep on mixing things up .

Teaching a child with autism can be fun and you can do WAY more than just read words with him. You can have him sort items by color or job, he can count the toys, or share them with you , you can make him request (verbal or non verbal), you can make it a game to encourage his interaction with you and his family.

shell

Post edited by: spectrummum, at: 09/20/2008 00:50

Post edited by: spectrummum, at: 09/20/2008 00:55