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The Curriculum for Life
A Homeschooling Program for Autistic Students
Scarborough Autism and Special Needs Services has created The Curriculum for Life. This is a full-time homeschooling program that is completely adjustable and can be used to teach several things to individuals on the autism spectrum. It can also be applied to someone who is involved with their local school board or other services. It is designed for those who have severe autism and require extensive support and encouragement along their life-learning journey.
Before starting to teach anything, anyone working with a person who is severely autistic is completely required to be accepting of using different concepts and methods when it comes to learning. It is important to keep in mind that you must work from the perspective of the student and adjust their curriculum and/or program whenever needed to make it possible to successfully guide them while learning. This will guarantee progress and achievement of milestones throughout their education and most importantly, their life. As an educator, you are required to determine the level of capabilities of the individual and customize their teaching skills towards the individual's personal needs.
This is crucial to prepare effectively for their future. Every individual with autism has their own unique needs. A “one-size-fits-all” curriculum or program of any kind cannot be expected to work for every individual on the spectrum. If any homeschooling parent expects to find a “one-size-fits-all” approach, it works out to be nothing but difficulties and sometimes an expensive disaster.
In the “standard” school system, the primary focus of education is about academics. This curriculum does include academics, but the main focus prioritizes about helping those who have severe autism, of any age, learn and develop important life skills. Most people who have severe autism require assistance with a stable routine year round. Unfortunately, severe autism and all of the struggles, challenges and difficulties that come with it are not all going to "magically end" or "disappear" once your child becomes an adult and turns 18 years of age - not even if your child is attending school, every day, all the way until their graduation and finishes the “standard” school program. Severe autism remains a continual, year-round challenge for the individual. It also is a continual, year-round concern and challenge for the parent as well as additional family members.
That is why this program focuses on positive, long-term planning and education well beyond the age of 18 which is longer than the standard school system. This program does not start and end from the “standard school calendar year” (from September to June) or begins on January 1st until December 31st. We have designed this program in such a way that it can be started at any time with different learning experiences that can be customized for both the parent and child.
How does this work?
The Curriculum for Life is not referenced by the “standard” expectant grade levels. It is competency-based and each process is an approach to teaching which differs from the instruction of other standard ways of learning. It is extremely flexible to meet the needs of the student. You can also include other supplemental programs, strategies, and resources that support the needs of your child so that their overall learning experience can be successful. The use of technology such as tablets/apps, computers/laptops has added a new dimension to teaching and is also part of this program for communication and learning purposes.
The Curriculum for Life also contains an Individualized Home Education Learning Plan (IHELP) which is similar to the “standard” individualized education plan (IEP), and a Progress Report Card (PRC). Both of these documents are completely modified specifically for any autistic student. Please note that in our IHELP Form or our PRC, we do not include “weaknesses” or “grade” level as in the standard IEP forms or report cards used in the standard school system. We strongly believe that the standard “grade” level criteria does not apply or is relevant to those who have severe autism and the standard descriptive term of “weaknesses” used in schools does not describe the characteristics of any severely autistic individual in a positive way.
Our Individualized Home Education Learning Plan (IHELP) and Progress Report Cards (PRC) offer an opportunity for a better understanding of the student’s current achievements. In this curriculum we have taken special steps to make every effort about autism and education to be designed with a positive outlook and an uplifting experience for the individual.
