Some children don't act out when school becomes overwhelming...
When it comes to education, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Every child learns differently. For neurodiverse children, finding an environment where they feel safe, understood and able to learn can make all the difference.
The latest Australian research is helping us better understand what these children need, not just to cope at school, but to genuinely thrive.
In May 2026, the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) released a comprehensive review of 53 studies examining teaching practices that best support Autistic students and students with ADHD. Rather than recommending one type of schooling over another, the research identified something even more important: the learning environment and teaching approach matter most.
The review found that the strongest evidence supports learning environments that provide:
- explicit teaching
- predictable routines
- visual supports
- flexibility to meet individual needs
- appropriate environmental adjustments
- positive relationships with trusted adults.
For many families, these findings are reassuring. They highlight that success isn't determined by whether a child learns in a classroom, at home or somewhere in between. Success comes from creating an environment where a child feels regulated, supported and able to engage with learning.
For some neurodiverse children, mainstream school provides exactly that. For others, it may not. When school becomes overwhelming due to sensory challenges, anxiety, social demands or a mismatch between teaching and learning styles, families may begin exploring alternatives, including home schooling.
Home schooling is not the right choice for every family and it certainly isn't the easy option. It requires commitment, planning and support. But for some children, it offers something that can be difficult to achieve elsewhere: the flexibility to adapt learning around the child instead of expecting the child to adapt to the environment.
Importantly, the latest research doesn't suggest that home schooling is "better." Instead, it reinforces that neurodiverse learners benefit when education is personalised, structured and responsive to their individual strengths and needs. Those principles can be achieved in many different learning settings, including home education.
We believe families deserve to understand all of their options. Whether your child is flourishing at school, needs additional support, is learning from home or you're still exploring what comes next, our role is to help you make informed decisions that put your child's wellbeing first.
Because every neurodiverse child deserves more than just access to learning, they deserve the opportunity to learn in a way that helps them shine.
References
Australian Education Research Organisation. (2026). Teaching practices for Autistic students and students with ADHD: Research Summary. https://www.edresearch.edu.au/research/discussion-papers/teaching-practices-support-autistic-students-and-students-adhd (AERO)
