Learning at home has been a challenge for a lot of parents. But there's more to teaching kids at home for parents with kids with autism.
Nine-year-old Brody loves music. His favorite song is by N'Sync.
While on a Zoom interview, Brody sits with his mom Heather Watson and sings "Bye Bye Bye".
Brody has autism so being home from school, away from his routine, teachers, and friends, has been tough, especially for his mom.
"One of the number one things he's definitely missing out on is the teacher's ability to educate him in a way I cannot. He's also missing out on a huge social aspect of school and being with his friends, a lot of them are good for Brody. They speak in full sentences so he models that behavior," Watson says. "Another part is his comprehension to understand why are we doing this with my mommy instead of at school with my teachers. No amount of stories will click. That transition is 10 times harder than that of a child who doesn't have that developmental delay or special need."
Brody's teachers at Bridgeway Academy have provided parents with tools and are checking in daily online.
Abby Davis, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Bridgeway Academy, says they're doing what they can to help.
"All of our kids have different needs. There might be a student who may be able to sit here and have a conversation to other students who can't sit for a minute," she says, "Have a schedule, schedules are good for everybody, wake up at the same time. Say this is the time we will have school. Our teachers are calling and doing Zooms and Google Meets so that's been really great ."
Davis also adds these words of support, "Our families need to know that it's ok today isn't perfect, and tomorrow may not, but we're going to get by and have fun doing it."
That's exactly what Watson is doing, staying positive and finding new ways to teach.
"We've had to be creative with bath time learning, lots of physical activity but learning as well," she says.
Watson has also discovered a newfound appreciation for the Bridgeway teachers.
"Brody is my child and I struggle and I can't event I can't imagine how they have a classroom of kids that have multiple challenges and they love it," she says. "I'm so obsessed with them...I wish Brody could stay there until he's 40!"
Bridgeway Academy has created a challenge and hashtag during autism awareness month, #showyourability. They want people to do exactly that, show their ability whether it's dancing or playing an instrument and post it online.