News and Knowledge

With the recent CDC publication regarding the prevalence of autism in the United States, the debate about best practices in special education has grown more divisive. A recent NPR story by Deena Prichep highlighted the two sides, broadly speaking, of the debate: integrated classrooms (the inclusion model) or specialized schools. As the number of students with autism increases, the argument over what’s best for each student has attracted the attention of parents, educators, and other various stakeholders.

One parent in Oregon found that the public school system just wasn’t working for her child. After much frustration, she enrolled her son in a private school specifically designed for students on the spectrum: “There was a point where I felt like making him feel like a worthwhile kid trumped everything else.” Her son now attends a specialized school just outside of her original district. The founder of this specialized school experienced similar frustrations and channeled that energy by creating a learning platform designed specifically for students on the spectrum.

Are segregated schools the only answer to the changing needs of students with autism? Ari Ne’eman, the leader of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, doesn’t think so: “If we have an environment in which autistic people are over there, in that other classroom, in that other environment, it really sends a very clear message that we are not a part of your society.” He does recognize, however, that decision is a difficult one for parents to make.

Just as specialized schools began to pick up momentum, educators and advocates have started pushing for inclusive or integrated school systems. The idea is that special education teachers and general education teachers can work together to ensure that students feel as part of the school community as possible. The parent mentioned earlier feels that in her son’s specialized school: “There’s a really kind of special degree of empathy and patience and love.” Proponents of inclusive education hope that the kind of empathy and patience she  speaks of can emerge in a fully integrated system.

There is no definitive answer for what works best with each student, but the continued debate regarding the school system can only increase opportunities for students on the spectrum to succeed.

What’s your take on the matter? Do you have a child in an integrated or specialized school, and how do you feel about the placement options available?

For more information about educational placements, check out OAR’s Life Journey through Autism: Navigating the Special Education System guide.  OAR has also created two resources that can help build school communities that are better prepared to serve students on the spectrum: the Kit for Kids peer education program and the Understanding Autism Professional Development Curriculum for teachers.