Children with autism are not receiving the appropriate support either inside or outside the classroom to enable them to access the curriculum and become active members of the school community.
From the point when concerns were raised about their child, 43% of parents say that it took over a year before any support was in place. As a result of this delay in support, 40% of parents feel there were negative consequences for the child's mental health.
Furthermore, 27% of children in mainstream schools do not receive all the support outlined in their Record of Needs. One particular omission was the provision of speech and language therapy (SALT). Over 20% of children with autism in mainstream schools who need SALT do not receive it.
Only 49% of parents feel that theri child can take part in extra-curricular activities. In addition, our survey found that 38% of children with autism have experienced bullying.
All schools should expect to educate children with autism and must therefore be 'autism-friendly' and able to cater for the needs of children with autism. Statutory duties to prepare accessibility strategies and disability equality schemes present invaluable opportunities for local authorities to ensure the needs of children with autism are taken into account.
- The Scottish Executive should adopt the Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Good Practice Guidance (DfES, London, 2002) or develop an equivalent for use by local authorities.
- Local authorities must ensure that their disability accessibility strategies refer to the specific needs of children with autism and that they are implemented effectively.
- Local authorities should embrace the opportunity presented by the new Disability Equality Duty to ensure that schools in their area promote and provide a positive environment for children with autism now and in the future by proactively consulting with and involving children and young people with autism.
The right school for every child with autism
The right training for every teacher
The right approach in every school
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NAS make school make sense pages
