Should autistic children be mainstreamed in a classroom with their non-disabled peers? Autistic children should be allowed access to the same learning environment as those students without disabilities. I have an autistic student in one of my classes. The main difference is that he sometimes needs extra instruction. Our teacher is aware of his learning disability and is able to adjust the curriculum to help him, while still challenging the rest of the class.
Not everyone is pro-mainstreaming; some people believe that autistic students should be placed in a special education classroom. One website said, "While mildly autistic children can do well in regular classroom settings, most autistic children benefit from specially designed classrooms and lesson plans" ("Autism"). It is important to remember "what may work for one autistic child may no help another at all" ("Autism").
Advocates of mainstreaming believe that autistic students should be give the opportunity to be mainstreamed into regular classrooms. The benefits of mainstreaming are more than educational. The social benefits of mainstreaming allow the student to interact with their peers. It also promotes acceptance of the disabled student within their peer group.
Autistic children are just like any other child. They have the same wants and desires. They want to learn just like we do. Because autism affects the way they learn, accommodations must be made to meet their needs. However, it does not matter what we say, the law says that all children with disabilities have "the right to a free and appropriate education" ("The Legal Rights...").
Sources:
"Autism." Love to Know. Web. 12 October 2010.
"The Legal Rights of Children with Autism." Medscape Today. Web. 12 October 2010.
Picture Source:
"Untitled Photo." Love to Know. Web. 12 October 2010.
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