Autistic pupils unfairly excluded from school, study finds

Researchers say many pupils excluded from school for disruptive behaviour are simply displaying symptoms of autism

Guardian, 1st April 2010

Scores of pupils risk being unfairly excluded from school because their autism is mistaken for naughty behaviour, a study published today has found.

Researchers at the Institute of Child Health, University College London, asked teachers in 16 primary schools to fill in questionnaires on the behaviour of 26 aggressive and disruptive pupils who had been excluded or risked exclusion.

The scientists then interviewed the children's parents, and observed and conducted tests on them to see whether they could be diagnosed as autistic.

They diagnosed nine – almost a third – of the children with the disorder, which can manifest itself in traits of repetitive, aggressive behaviour and impaired social interaction.

The study, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, concludes that many children labelled by their teachers as naughty and disruptive are just displaying symptoms of autism.

David Skuse, professor of neuroscience, who led the study, said: "Teachers should be supported to identify these children before they are unfairly excluded from school, and miss out on the education and learning opportunities they deserve."

A survey of 25 local authorities last year found that almost 4,000 primary schoolchildren had been excluded for fixed periods in 2007-08.

Meanwhile, almost half the public are against academies, a survey has found.

Ipsos Mori asked 1,211 people in England whether they thought it was a good or bad idea for more schools to be run by businesses, charities or religious groups.

Some 44% said it was either a "fairly bad" or "very bad" idea, compared with 24% who said it was a "fairly good" or "very good" idea.

The Conservatives and Labour have vowed to expand the number of academies – state-funded schools that are run independently of their local authority – and receive extra money from a sponsor, such as a business, charity or religious group.

Just 5% said parents were the most appropriate group to run schools, compared with 62% who said local authorities were. The Tories flagship education policy is to create thousands of Swedish-style "free schools", which are run by parents.

My son was expelled from secondary school but it was not for disruptive behaviour although there were times when he was reported as being disruptive.

It's common knowledge in the AS community that many children with AS can be disruptive at school. The reasons why they are disruptive are in many cases completely different to the reasons why neurotypical children are disruptive. Most teachers and education journalists from the mainstream media are not aware of this yet.