The Questions

As I began my research on schools for children with autism, there were some questions I wanted to answer.  They are: 

·         What are the benefits of having a separate school for children with autism rather than having them in a public school? 

·         What are the drawbacks to having children with autism in a separate school?

·         What types of instruction are used in schools for children with autism?

·         How much does it cost to put your child in a school for children with autism? 

·         Why would you put your child in a school for children with autism?

·         Where are the schools located for children with autism?  Are there many of them?

·         What is the church perspective?

·         What are my own feelings about schools for children with autism? 

Why I Chose to Research Schools for Children with Autism

I was able to work for a family with a little boy with autism.  Him mom would often discuss with me the difficulties of having her child in a general education classroom.  When I moved to Utah I volunteered at a school for children with autism called Clear Horizons Academy.  I loved this opportunity and I was able to see some of the benefits of the school.  I was also able to babysit for a family with a daughter that was enrolled in the school.  I loved being able to talk to the family and work with this little girl.  During this time I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to one day work in a school like Clear Horizons.  Now that I am nearing the end of my education, I have thought about the time that I spent in the school, but I still didn’t really understand the purpose of these schools or why they are beneficial.  I decided to learn about these schools and why they exist.  

Why Would You Enroll Your Child Into a School For Children With Autism?

·         If a child’s needs cannot be met in public school

·         Before a child goes into elementary school

Some children enter elementary schools and parents find that the students needs are not being met.  When schools don’t have the resources or interventions that are necessary for a students’ progress, many parents feel their children will benefit far greater in a school that is more personalized for each child and for their specific disability.  Children with autism that have not yet entered a public elementary school can often start by enrolling into a school for children with autism.  When they progress enough, they often transfer into a public elementary school with their typical peers.  

Benefits of Having Students with Autism in Separate Schools

Benefits of having a separate school for children with autism

·         Trained teachers and aides

·         Safety

·         More teachers and aides

·         More personal

I have found many benefits of having children with autism be in a separate school.  Some that I have found to be most helpful are first, having trained staff.  Because staff are trained, they are more knowledgeable about how to work with children with autism.  The employees seem to be more interested in the children and helping them progress.  A caring staff can make a major impact on the students in the school.  There is also a greater staff to child ratio in most of the schools.  Schools for children with autism typically have a teacher with multiple aides or paraprofessionals in the classroom.  Children receive a more individualized and personal learning experience by being with a teacher one on one or in small groups for most of the day.  Having students in a separate school keeps them secluded from large groups of children, it is easier to manage the children and keep track of where all the students are at all times. 

Drawbacks to Being in a Separate School

Drawbacks of having a separate school for children with autism

·         Social skills

·         Peer interaction

There are drawbacks to having children with autism in a separate school rather than in a public school.  The greatest drawback that many parents and teachers notice is the lack of peer interaction with typical peers.  Many of the students in these schools have social goals.  It makes it more difficult to reach social goals when the only other students they have to interact with are also children with autism.  It is beneficial for children with autism to be in the presence of their typical peers as well.  Typical peers are positive models and it can be helpful to have interaction from children their age.  Families that enroll their children in schools for children with autism often make a special effort to find opportunities for their children to interact with typical peers in extra curricular activities or with friends and family. 

Cost

I was curious to see how much it can cost to enroll a child into a school for autism.  

·        

 Can easily be $75,000 a year

Can be partially paid for by school districts if you prove that no public school can meet the needs of the child.

I found that it can be very expensive for families to enroll their children into schools for children with autism.  Because there are so many benefits to these schools, families often find the price of these schools to be worth the progress that their children make.