There are different educational settings that are perfectly viable for children with Asperger’s Syndrome. Children on the autism spectrum thrive when they have the right form of education and this can be in a mainstream school, a specialist setting , or through home-schooling. It’s important to be aware that whilst there are plenty of options and schools for autistic children that directly address individual needs, they each come with pros and cons.

Educational Settings For Children With Asperger’s Syndrome – What Are The Pros And Cons?

Mainstream School:

Mainstream schools with autism units are a popular choice nowadays, with more and more autistic children being mainstreamed alongside their peers. These schools such as the Romsey School in Hampshire for example, are trained to provide support for children on the autistic spectrum and this can be either with an in-class teacher aide or with organisational support to help them keep track of their work. Asperger Syndrome children strive to be the same as everyone else and this educational setting will be of massive benefit for their social and emotional development. However, children with Asperger’s syndrome do cope better in small class sizes, which is less of a reality these days with very little funding from local educational authorities and increased consumer demand. The environment of mainstream schools for Asperger’s children are not always optimised for them, meaning that noise levels and other factors can be over-stimulating.

Specialist School:

Specialist schools for children with Asperger’s such as LVS Oxford offer an environment that mainstream schools don’t always provide. Staff in a specialist school will have extensive experience working with autistic children, alongside the classrooms being aesthetically autistic spectrum friendly. There will be ‘low sensory volumes’ in the classroom, meaning that light, noise, temperature and smells are minimised. And most importantly – the curriculum will be delivered in a way that meets the needs of autistic children, especially as they cope best in small class sizes. There are also residential autism schools such as LVS Hassocks – a special needs school Sussex, if you’re needing respite. Although boarding schools for Asperger’s children are highly equipped, it does unfortunately mean exposing your child to the behaviour of others with more severe learning disabilities, which they may copy.

Home Education:

Homeschooling a child on the autistic spectrum means that you know that they are safe and getting what they need, when they need it. You can implement a flexible individualised programme for your child’s learning and reduces their stress and anxiety. This option is financially challenging as it does require a parent to leave their full-time job in order to carry out the home-schooling. It will use up a lot of your time and energy having to be there for your child 24/7, as you won’t get a break, unlike when they’re away for the day at school. You will also have to plan lessons and ensure that they are meeting educational goals. Homeschooling makes it harder for your child to socialise as they’re not spending time with their peers at school. This requires more of a hands-on approach from you to ensure that your child has the opportunity to socialise.

One of the biggest decisions that a parent of an autistic child can make is deciding on what type of education is best for your child. Whilst it’s essential to be aware of the options available, it’s also important to be conscious of the pros and cons that come with each educational setting.

Did you find this article useful? Is there something that you would like to add? Let us know in the comments.