Autism in Elementary Schools

This week I was talking to my mom about her friend whose son has autism. He was having a difficult time finding a school that would be able to work with him and some of his needs. I believe it is wrong for schools to discriminate against students who have functional autism. He has to go to a special school for autistic kids, even though he is more functional than the other children. While he is there he is losing the opportunity to learn social skills that he does not have, and will not obtain in this specialized autistic school. I understand having a school for non-functional autistic children, but every child is given the right to go to a public school, and it is wrong for the utah education system to block him from having the experiences and opportunities that could lead to him having a somewhat normal life.

Think about the independent skills your child needs to learn to adapt to a mainstream classroom. You want her to spend as much time as possible with her peers where she will be motivated and encouraged to develop to her full potential. Where it fits, take advantage of technology to teach and facilitate communication and life skills.When Your Autistic Child Starts Elementary School

Well-planned and implemented early childhood programs are cost effective, in the long term; children with autism who have benefited from such programs will require less intensive services later on. Young Children With Autism