Online Learning: Benefits for Autistic Individuals

Online lessons have become a new experience, which for many was unfamiliar. While some criticize this form of education, claiming that the quality and volume of knowledge acquired by children has decreased, there are significant benefits that autistic individuals have gained through this innovation—benefits that were previously unthinkable.

Remote learning changed the nature of lessons for everyone, forcing teachers to explore new approaches and methods of delivery. For autistic individuals, the transition to online classes proved to be very favorable. They now had the opportunity to attend school virtually while remaining at home in a familiar, comfortable environment, which didn’t cause stress. Although for many, adapting to this new format was not difficult, it would be wise to develop a strategy that would allow autistic individuals to showcase their abilities while actively studying the material through the internet.

1. Openness Promotes Understanding
   This may be the first and most important point, though it’s not always easy to implement. In any group of children, relationships should be based on mutual respect, recognizing everyone’s right to individuality, and being willing to change common rules if necessary.

• Discussing behavioral issues and other personal traits is crucial to prevent autistic individuals from feeling isolated or subjected to hidden mockery. Teachers can initiate a discussion about different disorders, allowing all students to voice their opinions.
• Recognizing the unique characteristics and achievements of neurodivergent children is essential for helping them shed feelings of shame or guilt tied to the symptoms of their disorder.
• Flexibility in Interaction: It’s important to acknowledge that some autistic individuals may find it easier to learn remotely because they can communicate without direct contact with others. On the other hand, children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may require more frequent supervision, as they might struggle with focus, impulsivity, and heightened excitability.

2. Comfort in Learning
   Simply being at home is not enough to increase an autistic child’s involvement in the learning process. It’s necessary to set up a quiet corner for lessons to minimize sensory overload. Noise-canceling headphones can be very helpful when doing homework, as they block out background sounds. Dim lighting can also create a calming effect. It would also be beneficial to provide an ergonomic chair and a height-adjustable desk, as small adjustments like these can significantly improve concentration and academic performance, especially during the transition to new conditions.
3. Ensuring Emotional Well-being
   Online learning, which doesn’t allow for personal interaction between the teacher and students, brings various unpredictable situations that can’t always be anticipated. For autistic individuals, predictability is key; otherwise, they may feel overwhelmed or anxious, and their difficulties with expressing emotions may become more pronounced. Therefore, teachers should closely monitor their students’ progress, inquire about any difficulties, and ask directly how they can help. Clear, direct, and open communication is the foundation for a candid dialogue.
4. Clarity, Directness, and Brevity Are Essential
   While online communication can also take the form of written exchanges, it’s crucial that these messages convey participants’ perspectives with maximum accuracy, without ambiguity or misinterpretations. To ensure mutual understanding, it’s important to clearly outline what the student should do and what is expected of them. The simpler and clearer these instructions are, the better they will be understood by autistic students.
5. Relying on Visualization
   Finally, visual aids such as illustrated schedules or lists of upcoming tasks can be extremely helpful in online education. These visual cues provide a clear picture of how much has already been accomplished and how much is left to do. The schedule itself should be precise and sequential: autistic students tend to benefit from knowing when each lesson starts and ends, how long the breaks are, and how much time is allocated for homework, after which they can enjoy their free time.

Online learning can solve many problems related to the underdevelopment of communication skills or sensory overload in autistic individuals. However, it cannot provide therapeutic effects, while cellular therapy has the potential to eliminate or alleviate symptoms of autism and other disorders. This approach involves the transplantation of the patient’s own stem cells, which have the ability to transform into healthy analogs of the damaged cells in the brain, which, due to dysfunction, cannot operate normally. As a result of this correction, autism symptoms either disappear or become less pronounced, increasing the effectiveness of complementary therapeutic methods.

Once considered experimental, this approach is now widely accepted and may become the main method in the fight against autism spectrum disorders. Currently, it is practiced only by leading clinics in the world, which employ highly qualified staff and have state-of-the-art equipment. One such clinic is the Mardaleishvili Medical Center, where treatments are more affordable compared to other countries. Additionally, patients seeking stem cell therapy are provided with assistance in organizing travel to Tbilisi and accommodation.

Take advantage of cellular therapy — an effective and safe way to overcome autism and its symptoms!