ADHD and Autism in Education
As many as 16% of children and young people aged 6 to 18 with autism do not attend school. It is a concerning figure that, according to Broeder Tuck, who is autistic himself, calls for greater understanding and closer collaboration.
“Are these figures accurate, and what population was actually studied?” he wonders. “More importantly, why are so many children with ADHD and autism dropping out of school? Is it the school, the system, or the way we deal with differences?”
Room to Learn Through Trial and Error
Broeder Tuck recalls a mother once asking him whether he was frustrated about having had so many different jobs.
“Quite the opposite,” he says with a smile. “Disappointments are what teach you resilience. Children with ADHD and autism need the freedom to make mistakes. That’s essential for their development.”
Keeping the Conversation Going Between Schools and Parents
According to Broeder Tuck, schools, parents, and support professionals need to stay in constant dialogue.
“How can we ensure that a child with ADHD and autism is able to be themselves without disrupting the classroom? And how do we prevent rules or a lack of understanding from excluding children?”
Baking Cookies and Building Understanding
His creative suggestion?
“Invite parents of children with ADHD and autism to bake cookies together with teachers, and then sit down for a brainstorming session afterwards. The better you understand one another, the more likely you are to find new solutions together.”
What do you think? How can children with autism, their parents, and teachers work together to ensure that autism is never a reason for a child to miss out on school?
