The Special Educational Needs Crisis in Schools: Understanding the needs and listening to the perspectives of children and young people on the autism

Since 1970 all children in Britain, regardless of ability, have had the right to an education. For children with a special educational need or disability (SEND), this right includes special provision where needed. With schools facing increasingly challenging budgets, this provision is not always available or effective. As a result, many children with SEND are currently not in formal education due to a lack of appropriate placement in their area, or exclusion due to their school's inability to adequately meet their needs. One group of children who are particularly affected by the current crisis are those with a diagnosis of being on the autism spectrum.
Autism looks very different in different children. The aspect that tends to be common to all is a difficulty with social communication. This can present as being shy in some children, to a complete lack of verbal communication in others. Due to their difficulties with communication, children and young people (CYP) on the autism spectrum are often not asked about their thoughts and feelings. This research aims to address that by consulting with CYP about their own views on their educational provision as well as their parents and teachers. As a result, recommendations about how schools can better cater for these children will be made. Interviews will be conducted from which themes will be extrapolated and analysed to allow a representative picture of the current provision for autistic children in schools.