Learning despite difficulties
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
At Coach House, we know that all students can learn and improve, regardless of learning difficulties. We believe that a person’s right to reach their potential should always be protected and nurtured. The key to successful learning is to enthuse kids about their study topics.
“Every single program is different because each learner is unique.”
We have very specific methods in place at Coach House that help us program optimally for ASD students. Many years of research have gone into formulating best practice. Our key approaches are synthetic phonics, explicit instruction and structured inquiry, combined with patient revision, repetition and mastery learning. It's a winning formula that we have seen deliver strong results over the years.
At Coach House, we have solid experience teaching students with learning disabilities, physical and intellectual disabilities, attention disorders, medical conditions that affect their learning and various other special needs. Every one of our programs is different because each learner is unique. To program optimally for struggling students, we carefully scaffold our assessment tasks, use specialty typefaces and printing styles, build in methodical revision and harness the power of project-based, immersive learning experiences.
What about kids who just don’t like reading?
Many kids struggle with reading. Until they catch up through methodological work in phonics, we enable them to access written content by using audio books, films, documentaries, television and YouTube clips.
What about kids who don’t like writing?
We provide a variety of project types based on individual learning styles, skills and personal preferences.
✓ Journalling
✓ Photography
✓ Audio recordings or audio-visual clips
✓ Short film production
✓ Model making
✓ Digital modelling
✓ Action research log
✓ Physical challenges
✓ Real work
Austin, 9
Austin has significant respiratory issues triggered by sensitivities to carpet fibres, resins and other substances that made it impossible for him to stay in the classroom environment. His parents came to us seeking a solution. We tailored a high interest, self-teaching program for him to ensure that he wouldn't feel like he was missing out on the social aspects of school. Austin is able to enjoy sports and games with a few home school buddies, and is busy working through a study we've called 'Awesome Engineering', focusing on his love for trucks and bridges. He has also produced a massive imaginative topographical map, revealing a talent for drawing and cartography.
Jacob, 14
"My son was a late-starting reader struggling with dyslexia. He also struggled with weight issues that made him a target of bullying at his previous school. Ally supplied us with a program made just for his needs, and now he is picking up books that interest him and reading for pleasure. I couldn’t be happier with the results."
Gemma, Ainsley and Madison (13, 11 and 10)
"I am a home-schooling mum and three of my children completed Coach House programs all last year. The program provides all the work for every subject, which really makes a difference for home schooling parents. The girls struggled with literacy and numeracy all through their early primary school years. Now they are progressing well in all areas of their studies and are really enjoying doing the projects."
