![]() ![]() Education, Health & Care Needs Assessment (if necessary).Making reasonable adjustments – which often requires changes to practice, rather than additional cost.Understanding the difficulties for each individual pupil.SEN support – having people in place resourced to provide support when needed.Training – for example the Autism Education Trust to ensure that the school understands autistic pupils.Steps to avoid the exclusion of autistic pupils, written for the Autism Education Trust by the National Autistic Society Exclusions Service and funded by the Department for Education, suggests: These approaches may help some neurotypical students but they don’t automatically make the reasonable adjustments needed by an autistic pupil. Schools are using internal seclusion and isolation rooms - which work as a deterrent for neurotypical pupils but may well be a relief for the autistic pupil – alongside other approaches such as: Schools have a duty of care to all pupils including those who are autistic (as well as their staff), so what can they do? There are a number of approaches being used in schools to improve learning within the classroom. Even short-term exclusion had an impact up to 3 years later. Sadly, as found by Professor Tamsin Ford and colleagues in 2017, pupils with mental health issues are more likely to be excluded, and being excluded means an increased risk of mental illness. Others find being out of a stressful environment a profound relief. Some children’s self-esteem plummets and some become suicidal. The impact of exclusions on autistic pupils and their families is both severe and sometimes surprising. She stated, “Aggressive behaviour is not a choice for children with autism”. In a landmark High Court ruling in August 2018, Judge Rowley found that the exclusion of an autistic pupil for behaviour arising from his autism was unlawful. Under the Equalities Act 2010, schools must not discriminate against pupils because of their disability, but there was an exemption for pupils with a ‘tendency to physical abuse’ which meant that if an autistic child lashes out when experiencing a meltdown, even if no reasonable adjustments have been made, they could legally be excluded. The majority of exclusions result from persistent and disruptive behaviour or physical assault against a pupil or adult, and yet we know that the behaviour of autistic pupils is often the result of sensory overload resulting in the fight, flight or freeze responses. In the same year, 4,840 autistic pupils were given a fixed term exclusion (where they can return to school after a given period) and 125 permanently excluded from school. This has resulted in a steady climb in exclusions over the last 4 years with 7,720 pupils permanently excluded in 2016/17. The impact of a funding crisis, the requirement for schools to meet the first £6,000 of SEN provision per pupil, and a £536M funding gap in the high needs sector have all led to reductions to in-school support from teaching assistants and intervention programmes. It feels like we have all the ingredients of a Perfect Storm. Here Sarah-Jane discusses the causes, impact and prevention of exclusion for autistic pupils, and looks at how pupils can best be supported to return to school. Sarah-Jane Critchley is the author of 'A Different Joy: The Parents' Guide to Living Better with Autism, Dyslexia, ADHD and More.' and a trainer and speaker. ![]() Gift Aid and making your donation go further Our patron, president and vice presidents It gave her something objective to complain about.”Īnother mum added: “As a fellow autistic mother of a boy you handled this way better then I would have, how dare this woman lecture you on what your children are doing and how your children should be acting.Parent to Parent Emotional Support HelplineĪdult residential and supported living service vacancies But it would be best to privately talk to him about the language, however much she deserved it. I think people forget touching strangers is assault.”īut someone else wrote: “The oldest kid sounds like a champ. ![]() If the old lady had any class she would have left him be.”Īnother said: “Sometimes protecting family is more important than being polite when the other person assumes they have privileges because of their age. While Sandy would usually tell off her children for swearing, this time she praised him for standing up for his brother.Īnd other parents were also in agreement, with one writing: “They stood up for their brother. In response, her eldest child turned to the woman and said: “You stupid b****, he's autistic.” Rex looks after Rose while Stacey Solomon gets dressed in sweet clip ![]()
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