My Autistic Child Is Struggling in School. Do I Homeschool, Start ABA, or Try Something Else?

If you're reading this, chances are you're exhausted.

Not just tired.

The kind of exhausted that comes from constantly worrying about your child.

The kind that comes from phone calls from school, difficult IEP meetings, meltdowns at pickup, therapy appointments, sleepless nights, and wondering if you're making the right decisions.

As a mom of autistic children myself, including a nonverbal daughter with high support needs, I know what it's like to question everything.

Is school helping?

Is it hurting?

Should I homeschool?

Should I do ABA?

How am I supposed to work?

How am I supposed to do all of this?

If you've asked yourself any of those questions, you're not alone.

First, Let's Talk About Something Nobody Says Out Loud

Sometimes school isn't working.

And that doesn't mean the teachers are bad.

It doesn't mean the school is bad.

It doesn't mean your child is bad.

It simply means the environment may not be the right fit for your child right now.

For some children with autism, especially those with higher support needs, traditional school can be incredibly difficult.

Maybe your child is nonverbal.

Maybe they're struggling with aggression.

Maybe they elope.

Maybe they have frequent meltdowns.

Maybe they're overwhelmed by noise, transitions, demands, or large groups.

Maybe they spend more time trying to regulate their emotions than actually learning.

And when that happens day after day, school can become exhausting for everyone involved.

Including you.

Sometimes Parents Need Support Too

This is the part nobody talks about enough.

When parents first consider homeschooling, many immediately think:

"I can't do it."

"I have to work."

"I need a break."

"I can't be with my child 24 hours a day."

And honestly?

That's okay.

Needing support does not make you a bad parent.

Wanting your child to receive services from other professionals does not make you a bad parent.

Being overwhelmed does not make you a bad parent.

In fact, many parents of children with autism are carrying more responsibility than most people could ever imagine.

The goal shouldn't be for you to do everything.

The goal should be building a support system that works for both you and your child.

Homeschooling Doesn't Have to Mean You're Doing It Alone

One of the biggest misconceptions about homeschooling is that parents must become full-time teachers.

For many autism families, homeschooling looks very different.

In reality, many families build a schedule that includes:

• ABA Therapy

• Speech Therapy

• Occupational Therapy (OT)

• Physical Therapy (PT)

• Academic Learning

• Social Skills Opportunities

• Community-Based Learning

Instead of trying to fit everything around school, they build a schedule around their child's actual needs.

What Could That Look Like?

Every child is different, but let's look at an example.

Imagine a child with Autism Level 3 who is nonverbal and needs support with communication, emotional regulation, academics, and daily living skills.

A week might look something like this:

Monday & Wednesday

Morning:

• Small-group academics

• Reading

• Math

• Communication activities

Afternoon:

• ABA Therapy

Tuesday

Morning:

• Speech Therapy

• Occupational Therapy

Afternoon:

• Home learning activities

• Community outing

Thursday

Morning:

• Small-group academics

Afternoon:

• ABA Therapy

Friday

Morning:

• Physical Therapy

• Life skills activities

Afternoon:

• Social skills group

• Community experiences

Notice something?

No single provider is carrying the entire load.

And no single person is carrying the entire load either.

What About Work?

This is often the biggest obstacle for families.

The reality is that many parents simply cannot quit working.

And they shouldn't have to.

This is why many families create a blended approach that includes:

• ABA centers

• Educational programs

• Therapists

• Family support

• Flexible schedules

Some children may attend an academic program several days per week while receiving therapy services on other days.

Others may participate in educational programs that work alongside their ABA providers.

The solution doesn't have to be all school or all homeschool.

Sometimes the best solution is somewhere in the middle.

What If This Isn't Forever?

Another thing I tell parents all the time:

You do not have to decide your child's entire future today.

Maybe your child needs a different environment for one year.

Maybe they need two years.

Maybe they need intensive support right now so they can build communication, regulation, and learning skills.

And then maybe things change.

Children grow.

Skills improve.

Needs change.

What works this year may not be what works three years from now.

And that's perfectly okay.

The Goal Isn't Homeschooling

This may surprise you coming from someone who founded an educational program.

But the goal isn't homeschooling.

The goal isn't private school.

The goal isn't ABA.

The goal is helping your child thrive.

Sometimes that happens in public school.

Sometimes it happens in ABA.

Sometimes it happens in a homeschool environment.

Sometimes it happens through a combination of all of them.

The question isn't:

"Should I homeschool?"

The better question is:

"What environment will best support my child right now?"

From One Autism Parent to Another

If you're considering homeschooling because your child is struggling in school, I want you to know something.

You are not failing.

You are not giving up.

You are not making things harder.

You are simply looking for answers.

And for many families, the answer isn't choosing between school and therapy.

It's creating a plan that allows both.

A plan that gives your child the support they need.

A plan that gives your family room to breathe.

A plan that meets your child where they are today while helping them move toward where they can be tomorrow.

And sometimes, that makes all the difference.

About Rocli Learning Academy

Rocli Learning Academy was founded by a mom of autistic children who understood firsthand the challenges families face when traditional educational options aren't working.

Located in Roswell, Georgia, Rocli provides small-group academic programs for neurodivergent learners, including children with Autism Level 2 and Level 3, verbal and nonverbal learners, and children who benefit from a more individualized educational environment.

Our mission is simple: help bridge the gap between academics, therapy, and the real-world support families are searching for.

Learn more at www.rocliworks.com.