Children with Autism Need a Smaller Classroom

According to an article posted on www.medicalnewstoday.com, at the recent annual meeting of the International Multisensory Research Forum, held at The City College of New York, neuroscientists announced "conclusive" evidence verifying that children with Autism learn better in small groups.

Here's my reaction: WELL DUH! I don't need a neuroscientist to tell me this. I am a parent of child with Autism, and I know this to be a fact. I don't need a fancy study to verify it; I have lived it; I am still living it. My family and I concluded over 4 years ago, if not more, that my son could not handle a large, noisy, and over-stimulating environment.

This is why we moved him to a private school where the classroom size is 8 to 10 kids, a teacher, and an aide. We knew, as well as his home district, that he could not cope with a regular classroom. There were just too many kids, and too much noise. I can recall, even now, what it was like for him back in grade school. I would get frequent calls telling me that he had fled the classroom, or had a breakdown because it was too much for him. Even when he was placed in an inclusion room, with only some classes in the mainstream room, IT DIDN"T WORK! He still had significant problems, both behavioral and academic. Once he was removed from the public schools, his behavior and his grades steadily improved, to the point where he made the "Honor Roll" 3 times! He is now getting A's and B's regularly, and has had very few problems.

Now, while Dr. John Foxe, Professor of Neuroscience at CCNY made several valid points, much of the article showcased a lot of scientific mumbo-jumbo, and didn't seem to cover the entire spectrum. His statements seemed to focus on lower functioning children, and only marginally indicated higher functioning children.

Obviously, I wasn't at the Forum, but it seems like they left out some major points, although I have to agree that educators need to pay strict attention to how kids with Autism are taught in our schools. It's not just the kids with Autism who need our educators' help, it's all of the kids with disabilities. Teachers and Administrators need to pay attention to the needs of these kids, and if it's OBVIOUS that the child can't be in a regular classroom, then the district needs to step up and do what's best for that child. I don't give a fig if there's no money for an out-of-district placement; do what's best for the child. No excuses.

It shouldn't be a bunch of over-educated, but probably, brilliant neuroscientists that let people know about this highly obvious facet of a child's education. If the team is paying attention, they should be able to figure this out within the first 6-months of a child's education. If your child is obviously having issues, ask for a new IEP, ask lots and lots of questions; be sure to get an advocate(this will help) and if you have a great relationship with your child's therapist, get them to clarify the out of public school placement, if necessary. Whatever the case is with your child, don't let the district railroad you into leaving your child in public school, if they can't handle it. Don't take no for an answer.

You know your child best, and if they can't handle the overly loud classroom, and are having trouble understanding the teacher, or whatever issue they have, then take the next step. In the long run, your child will thank you for it. Mine did, and we are hoping that despite the purposed budget cuts here in Illinois, that he will be able to stay at his private school.

Just something that got me thinking. Thanks for reading.

To read the full article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156405.php