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ASD Unit to close.

LAJ

I wonder if anyone can tell me if they know of any ASD Units within mainstream schools that have been opened and then closed. My son attends one of these units and the academy has now consulted on phased closure. Why this annoys me so much is not simply because of the disruption this may bring to my son's education but also the money the school received from the Local Authority to build the ASD Unit. The new building was only opened in October 2009 and the project valued at £0.8 million. Obviously if it does close, there is no way to recoup the money spent on this ASD Unit. So, I suppose what I'm asking is this: Are children on the autistic spectrum being used as cash cows? 

  • Autonomy is the bedrock on which academies function. The result is that academies will be run according to the whims and ideology of their governing team and butter up to the popular opinion of parents. A situation vaguely similar to that of primary schools in the years before the NC when they had much autonomy over the curriculum and teaching style.

    There could be many reasons why the ASD unit closed. Perhaps it could be financially loss making but it could also be because academies can choose to be picky in who they take and more often than not will refuse 'problem' children or those with the potential to tarnish the image and reputation of the academy. Academic ability is not everything. SEN, sporting ability, past behaviour, and family background will also be taken into account.  

    Academies will strive to protect their image and reputation. Many will be reluctant to take children deemed to be controversial, weird, or a potential liability despite having academic strengths. Children will be expected to fit in to the culture of the academy rather than being themselves with their own identity. It is also likely that academies will expel children on the back of pressure from the parents of other children who just don't like a particular child or think that they are weird. The majority of parents of NT children don't want to know about autism and neither do they want their children's education and image ruined by having to mix who they see as undesirable.

  • Occasionally I've looked up high profile schools to see what they have on autism. Often its just a nominal support for dyslexia and nothing else. It seems that selectivity means they need only offer to the able, and aren't chased to make a contribution to supporting disabled children. Or maybe parents who can pay, choose to pay for a special school, and perceive going to a posh school would not be beneficial. So it is ordinary state schools that carry the burden of responsibility, at least where integrated education is involved.

  • Hi - that's sad to hear - we need more of these units, not less.  What will happen to the unit when it's no longer used for autistic pupils??  Will it be used to teach other children? I'm no expert on academies but I think they are given a great deal of autonomy, more so than "state" schools.  Also, does this mean the autistic pupils will be taught in the mainstream school with support?  How totally disappointing - 2nd class citizens??