Researchers at an autism conference at the University of San Diego say integrating autistic kids into regular school classes is key to helping them move forward in life. The San Diego Unified School District plans to do just that. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
For decades San Diego Unified sent autistic kids to certain campuses or isolated them in certain classes. But over the next few years the district will integrate them into regular classes instead of keeping them away.
Jodi Robledo is a special education teacher in San Diego Unified and organizer of the autism conference. She says the success of the district's plan relies on its teachers.
Robledo: I think the biggest challenge is attitude, not presuming the competence of these individuals and not being willing to provide the minor accommodations that they need to participate in an inclusive environment.
Robledo says all too often adults try to control or change the behavior of those with autism instead of trying to work with it. The district's reform plan comes a year after an independent audit found serious inequalities in its special education department.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
