There have been several calls to the Indiana Resource Center for Autism recently asking about finding the best school setting for children and teens with autism. I have struggled with social and communication skills ever since early childhood. I was diagnosed with a learning disability at age 5 and autism came in young adulthood at age 20. Truth be told, there is no exact ideal fit for a school setting or option for those with autism. Every child or teen experiences autism differently. While they all share certain defining traits of the disorder such as difficulty with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication skills and the presence of stereotypic movements such as rocking or spinning in circles, some may have more challenges in a certain area, others may have less. Additionally, every student will need assistance in different areas and have different goals.
I was served in the public school and grew up in a rural community in southern Indiana where I was enrolled in both general and special education services. Based on where my family lived, that was our best option. Feel free to consult with area professionals in the autism field or local parents of children and teens with autism to see if they may have any recommendations that may work well for your child.
For a school setting for a child or teen with autism to be effective, it should allow the child to grow not only academically but also provide opportunities for social and communication skills enrichment. Opportunities to reinforce independence, self-care, and life skills are also very important particularly as the students get closer to transition. In the public schools, the speech language department may offer social skills therapy or social skills groups. Some may also be available through applied behavior therapy centers, pediatric and adolescent mental health centers, or private speech language therapy clinics in your area. I would like to encourage parents and caregivers not to be afraid to do your fair share of research about educational options for autism in your area. Search the web, attend a webinar, make some phone calls, talk to local parents of kids with autism about where they enroll their children and what the experience has been like. There is no one right or perfect fit, but there is an educational option out there for your child or teen with autism.
Note: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and are intended for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the official stance of IRCA and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, educational, or therapeutic advice.
Nassim, A. (2024). Finding the Right School or Educational Setting for a Child or Teen With Autism. https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/articles/finding-the-right-school-or-educational-setting-for-a-child-or-teen-with-autism.html