Latest News - November 2008

School Staff “Unfamiliar” with Needs of Autistic Children

The University of Birmingham’s Autism Centre for Education has reported that that too many teachers and support staff are unfamiliar with the needs of autistic children and have difficulty teaching them effectively.

The report, based on a study of both families and schools, concludes that while there have been improvements in recent years, many teachers lack the necessary understanding and schools are having difficulty integrating autistic pupils.

The government is promoting the benefits of inclusion of children with special needs but there are problems in practice. The report highlights a failure to understand that autistic children do not develop in the same way as others and do not follow expected patterns. This has caused tensions between school and parents, adding to the pressures on families and carers.

If you are concerned that your child with special needs is not making progress at school and you would like advice on how to try to change things, we shall be pleased to advise you of your rights and how to act on them. 

To find out more about how we can help you, please contact Maxwell Gillott Solicitors.