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Autism-Specialized Schools: The Pros & Cons

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Janice

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The enrollment of children in autism-specialized schools is increasing in numbers. Even though the positives for these students are significantly more than any negatives, there are some who believe that our society is progressing too hurriedly, creating needless anxiety for our children as a result of this choice.

The “pros and cons of special education” is a discussion about the pros and cons of having autistic children in specialized schools. The article discusses how the school may help the child, but it also mentions some of the disadvantages that come with this type of school.

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Autism-specific schools will assist some children with autism, however these educational facilities may not be appropriate for all children with autism.

Autism is a spectrum condition with varied degrees of severity, requiring different levels of treatment. Some children may struggle to operate in regular life without a lot of help, while others will be able to work more independently in a mainstream setting with less help.

When Public School Is Insufficient

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as defined by Autism Speaks, is a statute that guarantees that all children with special needs have access to “free and adequate public education” (FAPE). This implies that assistance for autistic children must be offered in the “least restrictive environment” (LRE). This usually entails going to public school or being in a more mainstream setting.

For autistic children, public education systems and supports are not always enough. As a consequence, parents often seek out an autism-specific school that can better cater to the requirements of autistic children.

An autism-specific school provides more specialized programs tailored to autistic pupils, taking into consideration the particular problems and abilities associated with ASD. These schools may be costly, and they may isolate children from society, making it more difficult for them to reintegrate into society.

Finally, there are several benefits and drawbacks to autism-specific schools. It is up to the parents to choose which environment is best for their kid. The choice may be discussed with your child’s treatment team, which includes their physicians and therapists.

What Exactly Are Autism-Specific Schools?

Autism-specific schools have greater freedom in what they may offer children and families since they are private organizations. These institutions often provide a broad range of services on campus, including:

Individualized education plans (IEPs) are mandated by law for autistic students in public schools, and autism-specialized institutions also offer these plans. Each kid will have his or her own IEP, which will outline their educational requirements and assistance. This ensures that children get the appropriate services and assistance at the appropriate stages.

Autism-specific schools might provide a less typical style and structure that can be quite useful to a kid with autism. Because autistic children often suffer with communication and sensory challenges, if these problems are not addressed, they may lead to behavioral problems. In a traditional school, a teacher may just not have the time or resources to deal with these challenges.

An autism-specific school addresses autistic children’s unique requirements. These programs are often more sympathetic and helpful, and they often provide more resources than a public school.

Selecting the Best School for Autistic Children

There are a variety of autism-specific schools available. Because the majority of the schools are private, they have their own set of rules.

Examine a school’s qualifications and licensing while looking for a school for autistic pupils. Schools may be nationally recognized and authorized by their state’s education board. This might assist them demonstrate their dedication to quality and excellence.

Teaching children with autism often requires a bachelor’s degree in education, as well as a master’s degree. In certain states, special education certification and license are required. The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards offers certification to staff and instructors (IBCCES).

Aside from instructors, autism-specific schools employ a wide range of experts. Professional, licensed, and professionally qualified personnel make up the rest of the team:

  • Occupational, physical, and behavioral therapists are all types of therapists.

  • Speech-language pathologists are specialists in the field of communication disorders.

  • Experts in the field of psychology.

  • Teachers that specialize in special education.

  • Psychiatrists and psychologists for children.

  • Advocates for the community.

Advantages of an Autism-Specific School

There are several advantages to attending an autism-specific school.

In general, an autism-focused school may provide specialized services and devote more attention to an autistic child’s needs than most public schools. Budgets in public schools are often pushed tight, and autism-specific services and instruction may be costly.

Despite the fact that special services for autism are mandated by law, parents frequently have to advocate for their children. The assistance provided to autistic pupils may only be “suitable” for the whole environment, rather than exactly what the child requires. When it comes to autistic pupils, public schools may use a one-size-fits-all approach rather than adapting assistance to the specific requirements of each child.

A private autistic school will often be more focused on your child’s specific requirements. The following are some of the advantages of these schools:

  • Class sizes are smaller. Large courses and the high amount of sensory overload that comes with them may overwhelm children with autism. This problem can be better addressed at a specialized institution, where class numbers are often significantly lower.

  • Structure that caters to people with autism. Set routines with scheduled transition times aid children with autism. These transition times may not be built in in a regular school, causing problems for autistic pupils. Furthermore, autism-specific schools use individual behavior plans for each kid in order to help them achieve academically and socially. Although autistic kids in public schools may have IEPs, they will not get the same degree of specialized instruction as students at schools devoted to teaching students with autism.

  • More people with advanced degrees on staff. Autism schools often hire a larger number of qualified experts to deal with children on an individual basis. Students get greater one-on-one attention from therapists and educators since there are more trained personnel on campus at any one moment. Staff members have received autism training and have prior experience dealing with autistic children.

  • Educational liberty is a good thing. Children with autism are often gifted in one or more areas. Instead than adhering to the standards of a certain grade level, they may study within their academic ability and areas of interest at a specialized school.

  • Specialized resources are available. Along with traditional academic activities, children may gain communication and social skills. They’ll also learn how to operate independently in daily life and move into society after they graduate. The curriculum and materials are geared for autistic youngsters rather than the broader public.

  • Acceptance. Working with classmates that are similar to them may be beneficial to a youngster. Autistic adolescents may just feel different from their neurotypical classmates in a standard school, which may be alienating. Autistic schools can assist children in feeling less isolated and more at ease. This sense of acceptance may enhance self-esteem and confidence, leading in fewer behavioral disorders.

When it comes to assisting an autistic kid, public schools often fall short. An autism-specific school may give your kid with a secure, caring, and supportive atmosphere that will help them succeed in the long run.

Cons of Attending an Autism-Specific School

The most significant issue about sending your kid to an autism-specific school is possible isolation.

While autistic children might sometimes feel misunderstood and even bullied in public schools because they are “different,” some parents worry that putting their children to a school with only autistic children would prevent them from learning the required social skills to integrate into society. An autism-specific school may offer a customized environment for pupils, but it also isolates them from the rest of the world. This may not be helpful in teaching a high-functioning autistic youngster how to navigate the actual world.

Children with milder types of autism may benefit from an integrated approach, in which they get treatment in a public school setting while learning to adjust to their new surroundings. Autistic children mingle and study alongside neurotypical children in public schools, which gives numerous learning possibilities. Public schools may also give a stronger link to the local community, allowing parents of autistic children to form connections with their neighbors and access local resources.

Autism-specific schools are sometimes quite costly, and they may be beyond of a family’s financial reach. The public school system is free, and the legislation mandates that assistance for autistic pupils be provided there. For many families, it makes sense to attempt public school first before pursuing a more expensive specialized program.

Specialized Schools’ Convenience

Even while federal law mandates that public schools offer resources and services for autistic students, it does not specify what those resources and services must be. Due to the high expense of one-on-one and specialized care, many public schools are unable to offer what a severely autistic kid need to flourish.

Autism-specific schools may function as a one-stop shop, delivering all of your child’s specialized treatments and resources in one location. This may save parents of autistic children a lot of time and effort when looking for these services on a case-by-case basis.

Speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, educational services, and behavior treatment may not be available in numerous locations. They may relax knowing that their kid will get all of their medical needs in one place. While these specialized schools are expensive, many parents find that the outcomes and convenience are well worth the expense.

When Should You Attend an Autism-Specific School?

A transition to an autism-specialized school may be advantageous if your child’s behavioral and social challenges are interfering with their ability to study and thrive academically. As a kid grows older, his or her demands may vary. While a public school may initially suffice, if issues occur, it may be necessary to transfer to a specialist school.

Each state and school district has its unique approach to assisting autistic and special needs students. Because some schools provide more help than others, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to which sort of school is ideal. The ultimate selection will be based on your child’s degree of autism, personality, local public school resources, and what works best for your family.

While details differ each school, an autism-specific school may typically provide a more tailored approach. You don’t have to worry about your kid sliding through the gaps of an overburdened system since your youngster is cared for on a personal basis.

Both public school integration and specialized school programs for autistic children have advantages and disadvantages. The option you choose will mostly be determined by your child’s requirements and the services available in your region.

You are the finest person to know your kid as a parent. Keep in touch with their instructors, support professionals, physicians, and therapists as often as possible. Obtain their perspectives on what they believe will be the most beneficial for your kid, and utilize their suggestions to guide your child’s education. Don’t be scared to make a change if the existing atmosphere isn’t working for your youngster. When you make that modification, you could discover that your kid flourishes.

References

The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (August 2019). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a U.S. government agency that (CDC).

Autism and Schools: Your Child’s Rights (2020). Autism Speaks is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about

Schools & Districts. (2020). International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).

Is it Better for Autistic Children to Attend Integrated or Specialized Schools? (June 14, 2014) NPR.

Why are Model Autism Programs in Public Schools So Rare? (Aug. 2017) Spectrum.

10 Strategies for Assisting Students on the Autism Spectrum Scholastic.

Educators’ Guide to Teaching Students With Autism. The National Education Association (NEA) is a non-profit organization

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Receive Special Education Services from Preschool through High School. (Updated November 2015). Journal of Special Education is a publication dedicated to the study of special education.

‘This Is What We’ve Always Wanted’: Perspectives on Autistic People’s Transition From Special School to Mainstream Satellite Classes. (November 2019). Autism & Developmental Language Impairments.

‘I Felt Closed In and Like I Couldn’t Breathe’: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Mainstream Educational Experiences of Autistic Young People. (September 2018). Autism & Developmental Language Impairments.

Do Inclusion Policies Provide Educational Justice for Autistic Children? Ethical Considerations (Aug. 2019) Journal of School Choice is a publication dedicated to the study of school choice.

The “advantages and disadvantages of special schools” is a question that has been asked by many people. The pros and cons are different for everyone.

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