Head of UK's Only Autistic Girls' School Advocates for Real-World Preparation Over Comfort Accommodations
Too many teachers try to make life 'too easy' for autistic pupils with ear defenders and school uniform exemptions, special school head says
Mail Online
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Sarah Wild, head of Limpsfield Grange School in Oxted, Surrey, argues that teachers are making life 'too easy' for autistic pupils by over-accommodating their needs. She emphasizes the importance of preparing students for adulthood, where they will face challenges without the same level of support.
- 01Sarah Wild advocates for preparing autistic students for adulthood rather than over-accommodating their needs.
- 02The use of ear defenders and lax school uniform policies may hinder real-world readiness.
- 03Reforms to the special educational needs system are underway, aiming to control rising costs associated with autism and ADHD diagnoses.
- 04Wild emphasizes the importance of teaching autistic children to manage uncomfortable situations.
- 05Limpsfield Grange School offers a unique curriculum focused on wellbeing and independence.
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Sarah Wild, the head of Limpsfield Grange School, the UK’s only state-funded school for autistic girls located in Oxted, Surrey, has raised concerns about the trend of over-accommodating autistic pupils. She argues that while measures like ear defenders and exemptions from school uniforms are well-intentioned, they may ultimately hinder students' preparation for adulthood, where such accommodations are less likely to exist. Wild highlights that teachers should encourage students to face uncomfortable situations, stating, 'When you are an adult, you are going to face challenges, and sometimes that's going to be hard.' This perspective comes amid rising special needs spending in the UK, driven by an increase in autism and ADHD diagnoses. The government is reforming the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, which has seen the number of children receiving Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) double since 2014. Wild emphasizes the need for a shift in how success is measured for autistic students, advocating for a curriculum that focuses on wellbeing, communication, and independence, rather than solely on academic achievement.
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The approach advocated by Sarah Wild could lead to significant changes in how autistic students are educated, potentially affecting their readiness for adulthood and independence.
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