Struggling to decide where to send your autistic child to school? Choosing between mainstream and special needs schools can be tough, but here is some insight…
Those well-versed in education law will know that SEN support is crucial, both morally and by law. That said, not every school or teacher is trained in dealing with special needs children. Not to mention, the stigma surrounding it all can be tough to deal with.
Because of this, finding the right school for a child with autism can be tricky for a parent. In this article, we hope to help you out by breaking down the pros and the cons of mainstream schools and special needs schools. Take a look…
Sending Your Autistic Child to Mainstream School
72% of autistic children in the English state school system are educated in mainstream schools. The question is, is this the best course of action for a child with autism, and do they flourish best in this environment?
Of course, it’s all down to personal experience, but these pros and cons might help you to balance things out in your own mind…
The Pros and Sending Your Autistic Child to Mainstream School
According to autism.org, “most children and young people with SEN will have their needs met in mainstream education.” Regulations mean that all state-maintained schools must provide the necessary provisions for any pupil who has special needs.
In theory, this means that autistic children should receive the support they need, especially if their autism is less severe. The following pros also mean mainstream school could work for them:
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Prepares children for emerging into real life, and interacting with different people.
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Interacting with peers is essential for growth.
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Creates an environment of tolerance and friendship.
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Allows them to feel less othered and excluded.
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Helps the teachers to grow and learn from their students.
The Cons and Sending Your Autistic Child to Mainstream School
That said, there are plenty of cons to consider too. A great Chatterpack article breaks down some of the facts and figures behind autism in mainstream schools. It reveals some pointers, some of which we’ve detailed below. Take a look at these cons to get a better idea:
Don’t Achieve the Same Academic Attainment as Peers
Statistics show that, in general, autistic children in mainstream schools have lower levels of academic achievement.
Compared to the 70 percent of pupils who achieve expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics, only 25 percent of autistic children do. In addition, for the 63.9 percent of general school children who receive 5 GCSEs grade 4 or above, only 32.5 percent of autistic children do. This disparity is certainly something to consider.
More Likely to be Excluded from School
The lack of individualised support means that autistic children are more likely to be excluded. The actual level of these exclusions is not recorded, and in many instances is caused by the school feeling unable to cope.
Typical School Day May Exacerbate Mental Health Struggles
Ultimately, many young people with autism who go to mainstream schools end up with their mental health severely suffering. Autistic people are already more likely to be on the threshold for at least one mental health problem anyway. Couple this with the lack of support and understanding, and the intense structure of a school day, and it can get too much.
Dan, aged 11, said: “School was always awful. I went through a bit of severe depression. I kept on saying, every time bad things happened, that I wished I was dead. I have to go to school [sad expression] … I was always dreading it.”
General Lack of Understanding
In general, there still seems to be a severe lack of understanding about behavioural problems across the education sector. Many within the world of education see behavioural problems as an issue with bad parenting, rather than difficulties with fitting in etc. This means that parents are judged outright, rather than getting into the roots of the problem.
Effects These Children Later in Life
Due to the above issues, many autistic children who go to mainstream schools may end up with troubles later in life, into adulthood. They may be less likely to enter higher education and find sustained employment. In general, low levels of life satisfaction and even suicide have been reported too.
Sending Your Autistic Child to a Special School
Due to the various cons we’ve described above, it may seem a no-brainer to send your autistic child to a special school. That said, it’s important to get a balanced view of things, so these pros and cons should help:
The Pros and Sending Your Autistic Child to Special School
For starters, there are a number of reasons why a special school might be suitable for your child. These include:
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Specialised support.
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Trained teachers.
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Smaller class sizes.
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Assessment is matched to learning styles and strengths, rather than standardised.
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Their peer group may have similar needs to them.
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Progress is tracked, and praise is given where it’s due.
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Parents are included in the mix more-so than in regular schools.
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Children may be more likely to find a career that suits them, so they can retain it.
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Gives them self-esteem.
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May reduce chances of depression.
The Cons and Sending Your Autistic Child to Special School
There are also various cons worth considering before jumping straight into this option. These are:
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Lack of integration with mainstream pupils.
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May have trouble fitting into everyday life in the adult world.
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The label of “special needs” has stigma attached to it.
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The child may not be on the same spectrum as their peers, so may find they have trouble fitting in.
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Transitioning to higher education and a later career may be more challenging.
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Expectations about your child’s academics will likely be lowered at a special school, so they may not be challenged in the same way as in a mainstream school.
Time to Decide…
As you can see, there’s plenty to consider when it comes to assigning a school for your child with autism. Of course, it truly depends on their individual needs, and where they place on the autism spectrum.
We hope these pros and cons of both mainstream and special schools have given you some food for thought. Be sure to reach out to various schools to help you to make a more informed and personal decision. Good luck!
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical or mental health advice, diagnoses, or treatment. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
