Writing can be a rather challenging activity, especially for children on the autism spectrum. In their neurodiversity, some may find it less complicated to write or speak than others. Some autistic children may even experience particular difficulty with keeping their focus and concentration on specific tasks and activities. But knowing your child’s unique abilities is the best way you can help them develop their writing skills. If you understand their strengths and needs, it will also be a lot easier for you to properly support them.
Bringing up an autistic child may be difficult, no matter how much you love them. It is imperative to create a support network for you and your child. That way you are not overwhelmed on your autism parenting journey.
How to motivate an autistic child to write
This is especially true when you still have your own education to finish. Trying to balance your time between a child and all academic work you have to complete can be a struggle. That’s where you may start wondering, “How can I teach them when I struggle myself with writing?” or “Can someone write a research paper for money?” With a bit of professional help, you can be successful at writing and in return, be able to help your child. Once your own writing struggles are out of the way, you will have more time to spend teaching your child.
In this article, you’ll learn how to motivate your autistic child in writing skills. With these tips, you and your child will be writing with ease!
Determine the Best Environment
First, the learning environment your child is in goes a long way in helping them grow and develop. Many children will do well in public schools. However, some children may benefit from attending private or even homeschooling. Whichever way you choose, build a team of supportive educators for them.
From there, it is important to make sure the learning environment is a calm space. Let them have fidgets and other sensory tools nearby to help calm anxieties and overwhelm.
Typing Vs Writing
Another way you can motivate them to complete written tasks is to allow them to use gadgets with keyboards. Autistic children usually find it very much easier to write using the keyboard. It even stimulates their interest and pushes them to finish up any of their essays or assignments. Allowing them to complete their homework with their personal computer, or any other mobile gadget can significantly help them to develop unique skills.
Computer Games
To help them stimulate this interest and make them less nervous than they would generally be, you can also try computer games. Aside from the fact that video games can build their social skills, it can also teach them artistic and intellectual creativity that they can invariably adopt in their writings. Monitored access to the internet can help spark their interests in reading and writing.
Practice Different Writing Styles
There is a variety of writing assignments that they can take – fiction or non-fiction. Let them write about their interests. When children start to learn specific skills earlier than usual, the chances that they’ll be perfectly competent in them when they grow older is relatively high. Allowing them to take up different types of assignments can expand their worldview. It can also sharpen their natural intelligence in the long run.
Hire a Specialist
You can also motivate your child to complete written tasks with specialists. Those who can understand their unique needs and learning styles. ABA (applied behavioral analysis) therapist can work wonders in this area. Working with a specialist will reduce stress, and overcome other unique challenges they may have with learning, as they grow up.
Be Inspired By Others
Motivate them to continue and complete their education so that they can become the best writer they can be. Many of the world’s most inspiring people have been said to be people on the autism spectrum. Among them are famous people like Sir Isaac Newton, Temple Grandin, Susan Boyle, and many more. Temple Grandin wrote a book called Calling All Minds: How To Think and Create Like an Inventor that is a great reference. And, we all know what these people were able to achieve and the positive changes they effected on society.
Motivating Your Autistic Child to Write
Writing may be a way for them to express themselves more. Many autistic children usually find it rather uneasy about speaking freely. So, you should begin to motivate them to write if you haven’t already.
Generally, many children also find it especially difficult to speak. Writing forms a voice and significantly helps them to express their views and opinions about life. Motivating your autistic child to write will benefit them throughout their life.
