Autism in General Education
As more people become aware of autism, the issue of whether or not to place individuals with autism in general education settings is becoming increasingly more prevalent. Some autism advocates claim that allowing autistic individuals to participate in general education classrooms is a basic civil right, and there is evidence to suggest that general education can improve the social skills of people with autism.
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Definition of Autism
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Autism is one of the most pervasive developmental disorders on the autism spectrum. Autism is typically diagnosed in children between 18 months and 3 years of age. It is categorized by impairment in language and communication skills, repetitious and obsessive behavior, and an extreme sensitivity to stimuli. There is no known cure for autism, and the cause is unknown, although many researchers believe it is a microbiological disorder. With education and care it is possible that the symptoms of autism can be lessened over time.
Accommodations
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Individuals with autism placed into general education classrooms must have proper accommodations to succeed. Some may require full-time aides to assist them with the classroom work and help them with any behavioral problems that may arise.
According to a review of effective autism classroom strategies by professor Joshua Harrower at the University of South Florida, a good strategy is to prime autistic children with what to expect in a classroom before it happens, such as reading an individual story to the child before she has to engage in circle time reading with the rest of the class. Because many individuals with autism learn best visually, an effective strategy is to use pictures around the room to teach various activities, such as tying shoes or putting a lunch box in a cubbyhole. Visual aids can also be used with lessons as reinforcement.
Above all, it's important that administrators, teachers and parents of autistic children engage in frequent communication so that they can effectively deal with any problems or concerns.
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Benefits
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Placing autistic children in general education classrooms may improve their social skills. According to a 1992 study by autism and human development researcher Howard Goldstein of Ohio State University and others, teaching other classmates to interact with the autistic child resulted in improved social interaction. Placing an autistic child in a general education classroom can also allow the child access to resources and opportunities that may not be available in special education classrooms, and gives the autistic child the opportunity to learn skills in a less restrictive setting.
Concerns
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Educators may be concerned about the potential disruption an autistic individual in a general education class might bring. Children with autism are prone to meltdowns and outbursts because of over stimulation. Because of their social difficulties, they often have difficulty interacting with peers. Most general educators are also not properly trained to deal with autistic children. According to a study about autism in general education conducted by Saint Joseph College, 54 percent of teachers received no communication with the administration on how to accommodate autistic children placed in their classrooms.
Resources
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Parents and teachers should access autism resources to learn the best ways to effectively teach and support autistic children. Organizations such as the Autism National Committee and Autism Society of America can provide assistance and educational resources. The Autism Services Center keeps an Autism Hotline, which can be called at 304-525-8014. Some organizations, such as the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, provide consultation and training services for educators wishing to integrate children with autism into general education classrooms. There are also several books available that can serve as helpful references, such as "Children with Autism" by M.D Powers and "A Parent's Guide to Autism" by C.A Hart.
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References
- MayoClinic.com: Autism
- Sevier County Special Education: A Little Bit About Autism for General Educators
- UW Departments Web Server: Including Children With Autism in General Education Classrooms
- Indiana Resource Center for Autism: Supporting Individuals with Autism ...
- Current Issues in Education: Level of Preparation of General Education Teachers ...
- Photo Credit child image by Zoltán Futó from Fotolia.com
