Promote schooling for autistic children

Today, according to the Autism collective, only 20% of autistic children would have access to mainstream school. To alert the public about the worrying situation of their schooling, the Autism collective has launched since Thursday a press and television awareness campaign. (News from 28/03/11)

No hospitality for half of children with autism!

• It is estimated in France between 80,000 and 90,000 children suffering from autism, a pathology of the central nervous system, which can express itself in different ways.

• The Autisme collective, bringing together the main associations and federations commissioned an Opinionway survey.

• 2 out of 10 autistic children would have access in the ordinary school environment. 3 out of 10 would be hosted in a medical-educational institute or day hospital.

• Half of these children is not welcomed anywhere.

• Yet the Disability Act of February 2005 provides for the right to schooling for any disabled child.

Lack of human resources and lack of training, a barrier to schooling

• According to the survey, the shortage of school life assistants, trained to assist and ensure the integration of autistic children, would be a real problem.

• Thehalf of the teachers would fear to be unable to teach in good conditions.

• Only 18% of them believe that mainstream school is a suitable environment for children with autism.

• 68% of teachers would estimate that these children should integrate specialized institutions.

• Yet, if all autistic children can not go to mainstream school, As the Autism collective recalls, 50% of them could do it because they can learn.

• "Do not leave 80% of autistic children at the door of the school, they need to learn like others." Let's hope that the message of the awareness campaign has a real impact in finding appropriate educational solutions.

Frédérique Odasso