Inclusive Education

[sembgal]

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/every_child_magazine/every_child_index/including_children_with_autism_in_early_childhood_settings.html


After reading the above article, I would like feedback on having children with autism in early childhood setting like a kindergarten. Will normal children without special needs be able to learn from the teacher whenever a child with autism disrupts the lesson? Appreciate parents to comment if your child's kindergarten has children with special needs. Do u welcome the idea? To my understanding, kindergartens do not have allied educators unlike primary schools. Is it fair to kindergarten teachers and other children to have children with autism in a regular Pre-school setting? Please share your insights. Much appreciated.

[OrangUtahn]

I think it is fair as long as the kid can cope with lessons and has a mild form of autism like Asperger’s. Just as you sometimes have tall short-sighted kids sitting in front so they can see better although they may be obstructing the view of shorter kids behind them. Not all autistic kids disrupt classes and I think it is very tactless to make assumptions like it is a bad thing, it’s not like the kid can help it when s/he is born his way. FYI there are autistic people who graduate well - they can be medical professionals, talented composers etc so don’t be too ready to diss schools which accept them. Hey wasn’t Einstein autistic too?

[Mdm Koh]

I used to work in one such school with an integration programme. There was always a teacher and a teaching assistant in the class. When the autistic child wandered off or made noise, the teaching assistant would attend to him or her. The teacher was able to carry on with the lessons, so there was no disruption.


I do remember there being some squabbles when they were at play because some of the autistic and DS kids didn’t play very well with the others, but these minor disputes occur in all schools, and not just in schools that accept special needs children.

I felt that the programme was largely successful. The autistic kids showed improvement in their behaviour because they had the opportunity to socialise with typical kids. The typical kids also learnt how to accept their friends who were different from them. They learnt the value of patience and of helping others.

I really thought it was great and a win-win for all the children. I was able to manage the autistic kids even without training. That was more than 10 years ago. All kindergarten teachers and assistants today have to undergo training, so they will definitely be able to manage the class.

[Just relax]

I think integration between autistic and normal children is fine and should be encouraged. It is important for children to understand from a young age that there are differences but that all must be treated equal.


In some primary schools the mildly autistic are in the same class as normal children. There will be the inevitable disruption but such classes always have TAs in the class, so it is fine.

I would hope more such interactions take place. Every special needs child who can cope should be allowed to be in a mainstream class and sufficient resources should be provided to schools to cope. In such schools that have special needs children, I think the school Parent Support Group and parent volunteers should also be activated to provide support.

The MOE can conduct mini-training sessions for parent volunteers who help out in classes with special needs children. It is already more likely than not that 1 parent of the special needs child will also be around at times to help out as well