1. Join a Local Autism Society of America Chapter
The Autism Society of America has chapters in local communities all over the country. Joining a chapter will allow you to meet other parents of children with Asperger's syndrome. Not only will meeting other parents allow you to get tips and recommendations for home schooling lessons and resources for your child, it will also allow you to arrange social opportunities for your child. Children who are home schooled are often isolated from peers on a daily basis, and interaction with others is important, even for Asperger's kids. In fact, socializing with other children with Asperger's is often beneficial in helping a child learn important social skills in a relaxed environment.
2. Follow Your Child's Natural Inclinations
The important thing to remember when home schooling a child with Asperger's is to not push anything. Children with Asperger's have very particular interests and may not have a long attention span for other topics. While you should attempt to include a broad range of subjects in your lesson plans, if you see your child's attention begin to wander or notice that he is getting frustrated with something, leave off of it for the day and come back to it later. Forcing anything on a child with Asperger's may cause him to become defiant or upset, and no learning can occur in that environment. You should also follow your child's preferences regarding routine in order to encourage the most learning.
3. Concentrate on Lessons that Interest Your Child the Most
Most children with Asperger's have intense interests in certain subjects. Because parents who home school their children have a great deal of leeway in how they structure their academic program, you have the ability to focus on your child's interests, much like a drama high school focuses on acting classes. Keeping the majority of the curriculum concentrated on what your child wants to learn will make the schooling experience more pleasant for both of you and may prompt your child to embrace learning.
