Schooling for Children with Autism

Whether children with autism can attend school typically hinges on their capacity to forge normal interpersonal connections and the manageability of their symptoms. It is advisable for parents to promptly consult a physician to ascertain the presence of clinical indicators like delayed language milestones, limited interests, and repetitive behaviors. If the child can establish healthy social relationships and the repetitive behaviors subside post-enrollment, schooling becomes a viable option.

1. Delayed Language Development

Autistic children who encounter delayed language development yet possess the capacity for typical speech and communication prior to school, coupled with good social adaptability, may not necessitate intensive language instruction. They might be able to undertake basic tasks, adhere to parental guidance for learning activities, and manage daily life chores like dressing and eating.

2. Narrow Interests and Stereotyped Behaviors

Pre-school, autistic children often exhibit introverted and energetic traits, disregarding their surroundings and peers. They may also demonstrate a keen interest in a few specific items, adhering to rigid behavioral patterns that can manifest as catatonia or subcatatonia, along with symptoms like abstract thinking or paranoid delusions. While these behaviors may intensify post-enrollment, children may also learn to collaborate better with peers and teachers, enhancing their learning behaviors and life skills under teacher guidance.

3. Other Symptoms

Generally, autistic children do not exhibit marked emotional anomalies or specific behavioral issues like hyperactivity, impulsivity, tantrums, or isolation before starting school. In daily life, they can experience no particular discomforts and improve their learning behaviors and life skills as per teachers' instructions, rendering schooling a positive experience.

4. Additional Considerations

If an autistic child does not display significant language delays, limited interests, or repetitive behaviors pre-school but faces an unfavorable school environment or frequent scolding/physical punishment from parents, resulting in a withdrawn personality, pre-school education and training alone might not suffice to facilitate their school attendance.