Coding for Children With Autism: The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Educators
Children with autism are highly suitable to learn to code for kids. Like any other children, some of them have a natural talent and maths ability, logic, and analytical thinking. Kids with autism have the potential to excel and be the best in coding classes for kids.
However, computer programming would sound complicated and difficult to grasp especially by children, making it more challenging to understand for young minds. But then, parents like you have a big responsibility to start honing your child’s intellectual and mental capacity. You can still provide kids with coding activities that are fun, light, and a comfortable learning experience.
Here are the ways to guide parents and educators so you can efficiently introduce code learning for kids with autism. Besides that, you could also unlock and tap the ability and desire of children with autism in learning how to do coding.
How to make code learning comfortable for kids with autism?
#1 Arrange a healthy and interactive learning environment.
Students with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are known for their challenges in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and other behavioural skills. In this case, parents and teachers should build a warm and pleasant learning environment for children with autism.
And even though children with autism would naturally love their programming classes for kids, they should do coding activities in a safe and comfortable environment. Through this, they would thoroughly enjoy coding for kids classes, lessons, and activities.
Whether kids coding classes are online or in a face-to-face learning setup you should always consider a suitable environment for your kids to learn coding. You could also choose between group teachings or private lessons for your kid with autism. Any of the following choices would depend on your child’s preference and easement.
Whether they are attending programming classes for kids online or at kids coding schools and educational centres, you should avoid any distractions, unexpected noises, and surprises. Try to maintain a calm and natural learning setup that would prevent uncomfortable situations.
#2 Prepare exciting and entertaining activities.
Students with autism face challenges in finding a focus on things that are not very interesting for them. So, you should make kids coding classes as fun and entertaining as possible. Through this, you would be able to get their full attention to concentrate on code learning for kids.
As you prepare activities for them, you can use different mobile devices like smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets. You can also select incredible coding platforms like Minecraft, Roblox, Python, and Scratch to provide them with an excellent coding experience.
Moreover, activities from picture books and coding books are helpful to get their interest. It also includes unplugged coding activities that would lessen screen time. You can purchase tech toys, robots, and other board games so your kid with autism can learn to code whilst enjoying it at the same time
Other parents also enrol their children in extracurricular activities for kids that focus on computer science lessons. They even allow them to join kids’ coding clubs or after-school care programs to experience entertaining activities and lab challenges.
If you succeed in gaining their full attention with kids’ coding classes, it will indeed result in a practical learning experience. Most importantly, it will enhance their STEM skills and other programming skills that they could use for their future careers.
#3 Recognise efforts, accomplishments, small wins and big victories.
Another tip for parents and teachers to successfully implement code learning for kids with autism is the reward system. They could give recognition and appreciation through the kid’s efforts and victories. Whether small or big attainments, you could still show your support and admiration.
As you let them feel proud of their accomplishments, these kids with autism would also increase their self-esteem. They would feel the love and affection that all children are rightfully entitled to get.
Other than that, positive reinforcement would motivate them to work harder and never give up on the projects they are working on.
Besides gifts or other material things, you could also share their achievements with your friends and families, making them feel special and appreciated.
What are the advantages of code learning for kids with autism?
Applying all the tips and reminders mentioned above is essential for your child’s code learning. However, all kids with autism are unique so you as parents should adapt these tips (or even add more) depending on your children's needs. Eventually, you would notice the benefits of these tips and bring out the best in your child with autism.
Aside from the tips we've shared with you, here are some of the mastery your kids with autism would acquire as they begin studying coding for kids.
Gain coding and STEM skills. Learners with ASD have left-brain dominance, making them intellectually capable of learning science, technology, engineering, and maths. They could also excel in logic, analytical reasoning, and critical thinking. However, these STEM and coding-related skills will further improve through coding classes for kids. It will help them master coding languages and apply them to make their own games!
They would master conditional statements, loops, coding rules, and principles as they study coding and programming. It will also teach them basic coding concepts that would help them acquire coding proficiency.
Improve problem-solving skills and mental health. Programming classes for kids would help your child practise problem-solving through its activities and challenges. So, they would enhance this skill and apply it to real-life situations. Other than that, kids coding class could also improve their mental health as they start to try debugging, troubleshooting, and other tasks requiring computational thinking skills.
Communication skills. Some kids coding school gives group tasks to children with autism. In this case, they would learn how to communicate and collaborate with others. It will also help them hone their social skills if they are performing tasks together.
Creativity. Creativity, innovative skills, and artistry will also improve through coding classes. It will make your child with autism more motivated in designing, planning, and building new things. It would also inspire them to develop their projects and online games based on the examples in the classes.
Build self-confidence. As your child with autism accomplishes new things, they would feel more confident and appreciated. Establishing a warm and encouraging environment can result in higher self-esteem. Besides that, it will also make them stronger and more resilient with both failed and successful projects.
Fast results of learning. Another vital advantage of code learning for kids with autism is its rapid learning adaptation. Unlike other skills like musical instruments, sports, or other activities, coding for kids with autism is more highly effective. Coding can help them learn and apply all the lessons immediately by building new platforms or online games.
Remember, most children with autism are left-dominant, making them outstanding and brilliant in maths, logic, symbols, and overall computer sciences fields.
Get a job in STEM fields. Today’s companies are demanding individuals highly skilled and experts in computer sciences. So, if your child with autism master coding and programming, they would acquire job positions related to this field. It could help them find a career that suits them well. Other than that, it would secure their future without feeling left behind or unappreciated.
Where can my child with autism improve their coding skills?
Skill Samurai is a kids coding school in Sydney, Australia. It is a STEM education franchise that offers coding, computer programming, and robotic classes for all boys and girls ages 7 to 18. They are also very open to any type of learner to help them acquire computer science competencies.
Other than that, Skill Samurai is designed to assist and support all students to learn the basics of coding. Furthermore, it also guides them until the preparation phase for career and job opportunities.
So, if you wish your child to learn computer skills in a fun, exciting, and effective way, sign them up now with Skill Samurai’s coding classes for kids.