Should Autisitc Children Be Mainstreamed

The Argumentative Essay

The issue of whether or not children with autistic disorders should be main-streamed, or placed in the same classrooms as non-autistic children, has been a very real concern for quite some time. While the debate is continuous, people often choose to side on a particular position of the argument without correctly evaluating all of the options. Should autistic children be main-streamed in regular classrooms, or should they be placed in self contained environments? Or, possibly, should a common ground be determined?

Autistic children have been analyzed for correct mainstreaming involves a gradual and supported procedure with encouragement and supervision years, and with the proper supervision and education aids, have been found to succeed in regular education classes. Because of the opportunity to develop social interaction skills, as well as the need to stay on the right educational pace, mainstreaming autistic children into regular learning environments with the use of special aids is the best option.

Done correctly, mainstreaming does not mean simply placing the child into a classroom of regular students and expecting him to succeed on his own. Instead, it takes extra help to integrate autistic children into a mainstreamed environment because the others in the classroom are more socially motivated, whereas the child is more instinctively and structurally motivated (Siegel 226). With the help and constant support of special aids within the classroom, a child with autistic disorders has a better chance of succeeding because they are around children who will encourage proper behavior and social skills.

Development of social skills is very important for children that are diagnosed with autism because of ...

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...is case, full inclusion means that all students, regardless of handicapping condition or severity, will be in a regular classroom full time. Although some may argue that that it is important to give every student equal opportunities to learn, and that it is only fair to include all students in regular learning environments, Decisions about including children with autism into fully integrated settings must be made consistent with the principle of the "least restrictive environment" as a guiding principle. No person with autism should be unnecessarily or inappropriately denied access to meaningful educational activities. However, it should be noted that the concept of least restrictive environment requires that appropriate learning take place. Placement decisions also require that students be capable of meaningful learning and functioning within the setting selected.