Why Autism Training is Important for Educators

It is estimated that 1 in 68 children in India are on the spectrum.

The number of children with autism is on the rise, with the number of children with disabilities reaching around 79 lakh, according to a UNESCO report of 2019. Considering this, it is unfortunate that there are only 1.2 lakh special education teachers in India registered with RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India). This is a dismal ratio.

School is a challenging environment for all children. After all, it’s their first time away from home and family in a new situation. Unfortunately, many autistic students leave school due to limited understanding from teachers and peers.

Having autism-specialised educators in schools can greatly contribute to reducing the stigma around autism. Contributing factors may include limited pay scales, unclear regulations, and insufficient cross-disability training for mainstream teachers. Hence, special efforts must be taken by policymakers to boost these numbers.

Autism training for educators working in academic settings has many benefits

Teachers play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of inclusive education.

Special education in India is evolving and progressing as we speak. We have made definitive strides when it comes to establishing a legal foundation for special education.

The Persons With Disabilities Act of 1995 was landmark legislation that aimed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. Subsequently, the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act of 2016 expanded the scope, recognizing 21 types of disabilities and emphasising the Right to Education for all. However, despite these legislative advancements, challenges persist in translating laws into effective implementation. 

This is why autism teacher training is so important, especially in mainstream schools. 

A teacher’s role extends beyond simply academics. They are responsible for providing emotional and social guidance to their young and vulnerable students. The shortage of autism special education teachers impedes the effective implementation of holistic education services.

The only way to bridge this gap is to develop and include autism training programs for educators and integrate them into mainstream teacher education programs. 

Some key benefits of autism training for educators:

• Creates a neuro-affirming education environment -
  A neuro-affirming environment not only includes autistic students but also actively welcomes and values their unique contributions. It’s one thing to have autistic students in a classroom, but you have to provide them with the correct infrastructure, resources, and teachers equipped with the right tools to support so they can thrive.
  School is a child’s first independent experience outside of home and family. It should be enjoyable and positive for every child. Neurodivergent or not.
• Leads to a more effective learning environment for autistic students -
  Autistic students thrive in schools where their neurotype is respected and understood, especially in an educational environment where they have safe and grounded relationships with their teachers and fellow students. This is only possible when the educators have received special needs training.
  For example, multi-sensory techniques can help with comprehension and retention of information.
  Such as air writing, a technique where you use your finger to trace an alphabet in the air and verbalise the sound of the letter while doing it. This helps you learn through muscle memory. 
• Enables them to work in collaboration with the parents of autistic children -
  When teachers have received autism training that encompasses other neurodevelopmental disabilities, they will be in a significantly more empowered position, to work with the parents of their autistic students.
  Collaborating with parents will allow education to extend beyond just school walls.
  Together, they will be able to develop a shared knowledge of autism and the child’s specific needs and requirements. It will lead to more efficient and practical strategies to support the autistic student in school, as well as at home. 
• Helps them recognise the need for breaks
  Autism teachers trained to support students with varying levels of need understand that autistic students often benefit from breaks outside the standard school schedule. This will lessen their overwhelm and increase their potential to learn! This could be a physical activity to vent, like walking. Or a sensory activity such as using noise-cancelling headphones to cut out background noise and reduce sensory load. 

Conclusion

All teachers must receive specialist training to ensure that all autistic children receive the best education. A 2020 study by a partnership led by the University of Northampton found this.

The study also stated that autism awareness training should be given to not just the teachers but all other school staff such as bus drivers and cleaners.

Training options include online resources tailored for educators, such as autism-focused websites, and in-person training centres like those offered by IAC.

IAC offers several certified courses for autism training for every stakeholder in the autism care universe: parents, medical aspirants and professionals, and, of course, teachers. Most of the courses can be completed online from the comfort of your home. 

Visit https://www.indiaautismcenter.org/autism-training-academy/ for more.