Neurodivergent-Friendly Homeschool Routines

By Venessa Duarte, homeschooling mom

My name is Venessa and I am an autistic adult who homeschools an amazing autistic child. I struggled in school until I began my homeschooling journey when I was in high school.

Homeschooling is more than doing assignments, it is a lifestyle that allows your child to be themselves, have personalized experiences, have a customized space, and establish a love for learning.

This is going to be fun! Put on your seatbelts because we are taking a road trip through Organizational Town!

My biggest advice I can give is to replace the idea of needing a strict routine with the idea of an organized routine and system instead! Allow me to explain:

An organized routine vs. a strict routine

An organized routine and homeschool system that is flexible and growing WITH THE CHILD is the sweet recipe for creating an effective routine.

A strict schedule is filled with page amounts, constant transitions, multiple time frames, and focuses more on time and stuff than on the level of understanding the child is obtaining. Just like adults, children want the information being shared to feel tangible, personal, and useful.

Does your child love a particular time in the day? Are mornings easy or rough? Do they get frustrated during a specific lesson or subject? Do they focus more with an empty table or do they like special objects around them while they learn? 

Start documenting those things so you can establish mini organized routines. You may need a mini routine in the morning, but can do a longer routine in the afternoon.

Many homeschool parents think they need one long routine for the entire day, but the beauty of homeschooling is that you can put mini routines and systems in place during the day to establish a fun learning experience! An organized and clean environment feels very safe and allows children to focus.

Instead of focusing on a strict time frame for math, try focusing on how organized their work space is, if the curriculum is clear and appropriate for the child’s development, and if the child knows where to gather or put away the materials.

Some days your math routine may need to be short and some days it can be longer. There is nothing wrong with involving time in your homeschool routine, just make sure the focus is on the quality of learning instead of the minutes that were involved. 

Appreciating Special Interests

My husband and I both struggled in school, but we were joyful, focused, and energetic when the curriculum involved our SPECIAL INTERESTS! 

Does your child enjoy...

• Cooking / Baking: Sourdough bread is a great science and math lesson! Having them go to the store and pick out their own cute measuring cups to use for baking is a fun way to personalize the experience.
   
• Collecting Pokemon Cards: This is a wonderful way to teach taking care of something. Adding the cards to special clear sleeves and putting them into a binder teaches organizational skills which feels great. There are videos online that have artwork of Pokemon Characters which the kids can follow along with. 
   
• Rocks and Gems: With rocks, fossils, gems, and other pieces of nature the creativity never stops! Incorporating nature into lesson plans allows the child to learn real life skills and useful knowledge. Learn about the rock type you live on, visit a cavern, involve geography by adding a jewel sticker to a globe marking where you live and add it to your homeschool environment.

Personalizing The Environment

Have you ever had a special pencil box, little eraser, or keychain that brought you joy at your desk or in your backpack? That was me! I felt like adding my Littlest Pet Shop items and Lisa Frank stationery items to my learning environment made me feel like I had my own space.

Home feels more cozy when you can customize it so when it comes to the child's learning space, do they have a favorite plant, trinket, or pencil case that can be near their table?

Taking them to pick out their own wall calendar to have it displayed where they can easily access it establishes a functional piece to your homeschool.

Do they like a particular drink you can add into a cute cup and place it nearby while they work or read? Gathering information on what their special interests are as well as what makes them feel joyful and at peace sensory wise (such as the lighting, sound, and organization of a room) is the recipe for an amazing homeschool routine!

Enjoy your homeschooling journey!

Your friend,
Venessa Duarte