How Much Is Online School?
by Trey Edgington
5 Features of Remote Learning That Benefit Neurodivergent Students
byCorissa Hennessey
4 min to read
When it comes to making choices in life, there is no one-size-fits-all solution; every individual has a unique set of needs and preferences. This is also true for education. Some students do well in a traditional school environment, while students who are neurodivergent may require alternative learning arrangements that will allow them to grow and truly thrive.
“Neurodivergent” is an umbrella term used to describe a number of conditions that may include dyslexia, ADHD, autism, Tourette syndrome, and others. Students who are neurodivergent have neurological differences in how their brains function—that is, their brains function differently from students who are considered “neurotypical,” or who have standard neurological functioning.
In a traditional school setting, neurodivergent students may encounter barriers to learning, such as bullying, pace of learning, overstimulation caused by loud noises and bright lighting. A remote learning environment can provide solutions for these stressors and learning barriers that can otherwise keep students who are neurodivergent from enjoying the learning process and meeting their full potential.
Here are just a few features of remote learning that aid students who are neurodivergent in the learning process:
1. Familiarity
Students often appreciate some level of change and variety when it comes to their education, and this includes students who are neurodivergent. However, in a traditional school setting, unexpected changes can occur that create stress and reduce focus for a neurodivergent student. For example, a student may be moved to another classroom for better class size distribution. Noisy construction may be taking place in or near the school building. Their favorite teacher may suddenly leave without notice and be replaced with a substitute in the middle of a semester. Students with autism and other neurodivergent conditions are typically more sensitive to these types of environmental changes.
Remote learning provides a sense of familiarity—the learning space is customizable and remains consistent each day. Online public schools like Connections Academy® provide a consistent and predictable learning dashboard while also ensuring engaging and diverse lessons. Familiarity helps students know what to expect and how to navigate their school day, leading to a greater sense of security and self-confidence.
2. Flexibility
In a traditional school setting, students are expected to adhere to predetermined schedules that may not suit a neurodivergent student’s unique learning pace and coaching needs. Since neurodivergent students often have different needs than neurotypical students, the flexibility of online learning allows more time and space for these needs to be met. Distance learning for children with autism and other students who are neurodivergent can offer more opportunities to incorporate their interests into their learning schedule and curriculum.
While some online courses or sessions may be live, most of the time spent on completion of coursework is flexible and convenient for the student and their family, allowing more opportunity for scheduling appointments, tutoring, rest, and coaching. Schedules and routines can be customized to suit not only the student’s needs, but also the needs of the parent and/or Learning Coach.
3. Personalization
Another benefit of online learning is that it allows students, Learning Coaches and teachers to customize the student’s learning experience to support their strengths. While traditional schools often provide individualized learning plans (IEPs) for students who need them, these IEPs mainly address curriculum and learning styles rather than environmental factors that may be causing even greater barriers to learning.
Online teachers are often able to give students more individual attention and support than they’d receive in a physical classroom, so they develop personal relationships with their teachers as a result. With online learning, factors that may have once been a source of a student’s stress can potentially be altered or eliminated for them, making more room for growth and engagement.
Whether neurodivergent or neurotypical, your child deserves every opportunity to succeed—in the classroom and in their future. At Connections Academy, our K–12 online public school expands the ways your child can learn. If you’re looking for the best online school for ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent conditions, find your local Connections Academy-supported school to explore options.
Ready to Learn More
About Connections Academy?
Explore the benefits of attending Connections Academy, a tuition-free, accredited online public school that’s passionate about helping your child thrive.
Related Posts
-
-
Everything You’ll Need to Sign Up for Online School
by Connections Academy
-
Earn Your High School Diploma Online for Free
by Valerie Kirk
In today’s world, the path to high school graduation no longer has to be a straight line from the neighborhood elementary school to your local school district’s brick-and-mortar high school. As students grow and change, so do their learning needs, causing students to explore other options, including private, charter, and virtual schools, to continue their learning journey.
As students and families explore their school choices, they are often left wondering how to earn a high school diploma online for free.
One way is at a public virtual high school like Connections Academy. Just like in a public brick-and-mortar school, where students don’t pay tuition and receive their high school diplomas for free, students at public virtual high schools don’t pay tuition and earn their high school diploma online for free.
The Benefits of Online High School
Choosing the right school is one of the hardest decisions that parents have to make. There are many reasons why parents may want to explore different school options for their student, and many find that virtual school fits their specific needs. Virtual school offers:
- Flexible daily schedules, allowing students to complete their daily lessons on their schedule, leaving time for family obligations or extracurricular activities and sports.
- A safe, inclusive learning environment where everyone is welcome.
- Accredited curriculum
- Teachers who are specially trained to teach online.
- Social experiences like live classes and online clubs.
Read some of the stories from online school students about their journeys to earn a high school diploma online and see how online school benefits each student’s individual needs.
Graduation Requirements to Earn a Free Online High School Diploma
High school graduation requirements for accredited online high schools are set by the state where the school is based and mirror the state’s brick-and-mortar schools’ graduation requirements. Students enrolled in both types of public schools typically do the same number of credit hours, attend school the same number of hours/days, and must pass the same or similar state competency tests to graduate and receive their online high school diploma.
Virtual high schools have guidance counselors who help guide students in their course selection to ensure they meet the state guidelines to receive their high school diploma. Many virtual schools also offer solutions to support students who may be missing credits.
Many virtual schools also offer in-person graduation ceremonies where students are presented with their high school diploma. Students can celebrate their achievement with friends and family!
Costs for Public Virtual Schools
Public virtual schools are tuition-free, but there are some things families are responsible for. Depending on the grade, technology can play a significant part in the online school experience. Many virtual schools provide computers to their students at no cost. Virtual school families often find having a working computer helpful to have near the student’s learning space—especially if their student is enrolled in middle school or high school online.
Required texts and instructional materials, which can be either digital or physical depending on your student’s grade level and state, are also provided at no cost. Virtual school students need most of the same supplies as brick-and-mortar public school students, which must be purchased by the family. This includes school supplies like pencils, erasers, and notebooks.
Public virtual schools don’t charge fees to earn a high school diploma online. To graduate, students must simply meet their state’s graduation requirements.
Application Process for Online School
It’s never too late to transfer to online school and get your student on the path to earn their free high school diploma online. You can join one of Connections Academy’s information sessions to learn more about public virtual schools and the application process.
Learn more about how virtual school can help your student earn a high school diploma online for free.
read more
