The inclusion of autistic children in classrooms is still one of the debatable topics in the world's education system. Handling a kid with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be challenging for some teachers, especially for those who don't fully understand the condition.
Should Autistic Children Be Integrated Or Segregated?
The question whether autistic children should be segregated in or integrated with schools is still active until today. There are plenty of schools that cater exclusively to autistic children to allow more one-on-one time between teachers and students. These segregated schools also tailor to the special needs of autistic kids and help them flourish in an environment they are comfortable in, Big Think wrote.
U.K.-based Victory Academy targets the special needs of autistic children. To successfully educate kids with autism, the school breaks down tasks, provides positive reinforcement and employs precise instructional strategies. Victory Academy also teaches sensory regulation skills and social cognition to autistic children to help them form relationships later on in life.
However, some parents with autistic children think segregated schools aren't enough for their kids. According to a 2014 report from NPR, autistic children often miss opportunities in segregated schools, given that these institutions don't really follow all the practices of normal schools.
Integrated Schools Benefit Autistic Children More
Some people, however, oppose the idea of segregated schooling for autistic children. They believe being in an integrated school alongside their normal peers help autistic kids form relationships better.
When they are segregated, children with autism may feel detached from normal kids and other challenges presented by life day-by-day. Immersing autistic kids in the "normal world" early on can be beneficial when they become adults; they need less time to adjust, Big Think wrote.
What Autistic Children Need
A recent study found that social-emotional well-being is the key factor for autistic children to succeed in schools. Autistic kids struggle with their intellectual abilities and are often having a hard time regulating their emotions. By encouraging social competence, social-emotional well-being and positive behavior, the individual needs of an autistic child can be addressed properly, PsychCentral.com reported.
The program Students Helping Access Doors Educationally and Socially, or SHADES, is teaching students how to interact properly with their autistic peers, East Valley Tribune wrote. Participating students serve as mentors and friends to children with autism.
SHADES helps autistic children develop their social skills. It also provides them with a safe environment where they can practice socializing and interacting with others.
Autistic children rarely establish eye contact, are excessively focused on certain objects and indifferent when it comes to social engagement, according to the NIH. The give-and-take nature of social interactions and communications is difficult for autism patients.
