Challenges of Autism Wed November 10, 2010 Inclusion: Finding
the Balance for Students With Autism These days it’s not rare to
find a child with severe autism actively participating in a
public school. A generation ago, parents would have sent those
kids to a private school or maybe institutionalized them. But
studies show kids with autism improve in a regular public
school. There they are able to socialize and learn how to
communicate better because they’re copying the other children.
But not everyone agrees this approach is good for all students.
In our ongoing series Challenges of Autism, NHPR Correspondent
Sheryl Rich-Kern has this report. (sound of teachers singing in
a nursery rhyme tune) “Olivia, Emma and Lily are ready…" At
Maple Wood Elementary School, the first grade teacher reins in
her class of about 25 kids for a writing lesson. (sound of
teacher writing on board) "I’m going to write a sentence on the
board and you are going to find…" Daniel is a tall six year old
with jet black hair. He also has