Having a child with special needs can be a great gift — they are loving, friendly people who just happen to behave differently in social settings.
What is autism? Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder which renders individuals with impaired social interactions as well as difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication. Autism is also characterized by repetitive behavior.
The disorder has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics are complex and not well understood whether it is caused more by rare mutations or by rare combinations of common genetic variants. The number of people diagnosed with autism has been increasing since the early 1980’s, which is why there are now many options for educating your child with autism.
What is the best learning environment? Autism in schools is very prevalent; both private and public schools admit children with autism every year. There are also special needs schools available if you feel that your child will benefit more from attending them.
What is a special needs school? A special needs school is strictly for those with learning disabilities. It is a school catering to students who have special educational needs due to severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities or behavioral problems. Schools for children with special needs don’t solely have to include those with Autism; there is a wide spectrum of what “special needs” entails, so your child may be exposed to individuals with different learning disabilities.
What a special needs school can do for your child: Early behavioral and cognitive intervention can often help children with autism understand and implement self-care, social, and communication skills. Special needs schools offer help for children with learning disabilities by giving them an Individualized Education Program (IEP) which outlines how that specific school will meet that individual’s needs.
How can I tell if my child has Autism? During infancy, your child will show less attention to social stimuli; they may smell and look at others less often and may not respond to their own name. When your child becomes a toddler, they will most likely have less eye contact with others and will not have the ability to use simple movements to express themselves.
Unusual eating habits will develop in about 3/4 of children and is usually associated with binge eating. However, there is always a bright future for most autistic individuals — especially if you enroll them in a special needs school.
Other options: Many experts believe that an all-inclusive school is the best environment for those with autism because they will be able to understand what socially appropriate behavior looks like as shown from students with no learning disabilities. Be sure to consult a child psychologist or your family doctor to determine what type of school is best for your child.
