{"id":12105,"date":"2021-12-23T08:26:38","date_gmt":"2021-12-23T08:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/?p=12105"},"modified":"2022-10-13T20:49:49","modified_gmt":"2022-10-13T20:49:49","slug":"what-are-the-benefits-of-coding-for-an-autistic-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/what-are-the-benefits-of-coding-for-an-autistic-child\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Benefits of Coding for an Autistic Child?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Are the Benefits of Coding for an Autistic Child?<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Families of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can relate to the importance of finding enriching activities, games, and toys that support their kid\u2019s curiosities. For many autistic students, activities like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/camps\/java\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">computer science<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and software development are a natural fit for their interests and skill set.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important for all kids to have experiences with technology to be able to grow and adapt with the times, but coding skills come naturally for many neurotypical kids with autism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your child might excel with coding concepts if they:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have an inherent interest in technology, whether through computers, tablets, or gaming systems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoy challenging educational games, like puzzles or problem-solving activities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use drag-and-drop block coding toys, like Code-a-pillar<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Participate in games that engage programming skills, such as Minecraft or Robot Wars<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoy free play with building toys such as LEGO<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appreciate structure and have the ability to follow instructions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gravitate to creative outlets like art classes and cooking classes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the Impact of Technology on Those Diagnosed with Autism?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in technology and recommendations around screen time are often met with a disclaimer, but autism research shows that technology is a great opportunity for neurotypical kids with Asperger&#8217;s syndrome or other diagnoses on the autism spectrum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partnerships with coding courses, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/camps\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">summer camps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and other non-profits make it easier for autistic people with disabilities or impairments to get computer programming skills, even at home. Schools make it possible to offer more enrichment and help foster coding skills with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As technology changes, jobs for skilled web developers, programmers, and coders are only going to continue to grow in demand. Students on the spectrum possess unique skills that set them apart when it comes to a future career in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/what-types-of-jobs-can-coders-get\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tech industry<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and should embrace opportunities to learn more about computer science and coding from a young age.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many kids with autism are fascinated by technology, reinforcing how perfect coding and other STEM activities may be for them now. Their unique ability to hyper-focus on learning can work to their advantage when it comes to interpreting and learning programming languages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coding can help kids diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develop strong problem-solving skills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foster social skills and ability to participate in teamwork<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Build upon spatial intelligence<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develop logical thinking skills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engage creativity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore imaginative free play<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn transferable skills that can be used in future workplaces<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Types of Coding<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are over 700 coding languages used around the world, but it\u2019s always best if young learners start with easy coding challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beginners, including children with autism spectrum disorder, can easily be introduced to different types of coding with drag-and-drop visual block programming options like Tynker and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/scratch-coding-for-kids\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scratch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Building foundational skills is important for coders of all types, and makes it easier for kids to advance to meet different coding challenges and learn new software languages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the child demonstrates an understanding of what&#8217;s possible, they may start to show interest in coding for specific applications. Maybe they want to create animations, apps, or build video games. They might be interested in web development, robotics, or even open to the challenge of building their own computer! Help your child understand the options available in the world of coding, and offer online tutorials and immersive camps to help quench their thirst for knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once they get the hang of coding and understand what they can do, kids love to share their games and animations with others in online communities. These communities can help coders see what\u2019s possible and spark creativity, and also help autistic students process social interactions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From there, five common coding languages you may encourage your child to try may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JavaScript<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Python<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HTML<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CSS<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ruby<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find a Coding Class Near You<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/online-coding-classes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coding classes for kids<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offered by TheCoderSchool strive to make it possible for kids of all abilities to get a foundational knowledge of coding. We have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/private-coding-tutors\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coding courses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a virtual learning environment, in-person, and private one-on-one lessons to offer flexibility and personalized education to students with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/locations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find a class near you today<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and get in touch with us if you have any questions about programs to target specific interests.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Are the Benefits of Coding for an Autistic Child? Families of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can relate to the importance of finding enriching activities, games, and toys that support their kid\u2019s curiosities. For many autistic students, activities like computer science and software development are a natural fit for their interests and &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/what-are-the-benefits-of-coding-for-an-autistic-child\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;What Are the Benefits of Coding for an Autistic Child?&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[68,61],"class_list":["post-12105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-coder-blog","tag-advice-for-parents","tag-education","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12105"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12105\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12107,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12105\/revisions\/12107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}