Should children learn (more) about Asperger's at schools? And why?

Question

In my science lesson, we learnt about the MMR vaccines and autism. But since my five years of going to my secondary school, there was no lesson where they taught us about Asperger's or autism...

What are your opinions? Should teachers educate kids on Asperger's and Special Needs?

I think they should, children would have a clear understanding of Asperger's and would be able to understand what it is to have autism or any learning difficulty or disability.

Answer 1

I think there are limits to how much schools can teach about various medical conditions and disabilities. Of course it would be ideal if kids were taught about those things in school, but I understand that it's just not possible. There is a lot of other material that needs to be covered.

So no, I don't think it's necessary to teach all kids about Asperger's syndrome. However, if there is a kid in the class/school who has it (or some other problem), then it would be good to teach the other kids a bit about it so that they can understand why that kid is different.

Answer 2

Ideally, school is a place to learn about yourself and the world around you.  With that ideal in mind, of course students should learn about every race, religion, culture, disability, etc. on the planet.  Is there enough time?  No.

However, in the US we have "Exceptional Children's Week" which is supposed to be a time to educate everyone about the range of abilities and disabilities that exist in a school.  It's a time to celebrate that there are 12 year olds working on algebra and there are 12 year olds working on counting to 5.  Both are working, both are being challenged, and that's just the way things are.

Again, ideally, this would be addressed in all schools (perhaps through Health class if no where else?) but with a culture of numbers and test data, I don't see this becoming a priority right now.  Sad, but true.

Answer 3

It is not up to the teachers or even the administrators at the district level to determine what is taught to the students.

This is decided at the state level.

And while you have a very good idea, there is no way this would ever be taught becuase

this is not what is on the curiculum to be taught so the schools can get more money from the NCLB law.

Schools ONLY teach what is mandated by this law so they can GET MORE MONEY.

It doesn't matter any more what the students NEED to learn.

Answer 4

If there is a child in the school or in your class that has Autism or Asperger's then it might be beneficial for the other students to learn about the condition. If not then there wouldn't be much point in the school teaching it.

If you learnt it in science in connection with the MMR vaccine then you probably learnt how vaccines cause Autism which has not been fully proven. It would be the scientific side of things that you learnt.

One other thing is that if the school doesn't have anyone attending who doesn't have Autism/Asperger's they are not likely to know much about the condition so wouldn't be able to teach it very effectively.

Answer 5

That coudl be included in a sociology class (elective)

Answer 6

well if you dont need to know it (i mean like its not in your exam board syllabus) then sorry to say but what the h**l is the point learning about it, and teachers wasting time teaching it when they could be teaching something that WILL come up in your exam!!!

if you wanna know about aspergers then why cant you just search it up on the net

Answer 7

i think it is a fab idea and i think all schools should do it it gives kids a clearer understanding of special needs so they don't think the special needs kids are been stupid,silly,babyish,childlike and dumb as many children think that these days

Answer 8

Teachers can't teach you about Aspergers cos they don't know anything about it themselves.

FACT: Headmaster resigned recently cos he did not know the difference between an Apergers child and a badly behaved child...

He called his mother a 'bad parent'.

Turns out...kid had Aspergers....headmaster had to resign cos of the h**l that poor kid was put thru...and the fact that the LEA lost the tribunal case in BIG style.

I understand the SENCO will shortly follow him into the dole queue.

Aspergers Spectrum Disorder IS of the Autism range of disorders and not opposite to it.

Answer 9

I cna see the benefit but also the downside to it:

1) Which disability, Special educational need, condition etc would you choose to teach as there are so many and they couldnt all be covered-if you taught just one then you'd be discriminating against others!

2) Would it simply draw too much attention to the idea of a child being 'different' and 'special' esp if a child in the class has what that subject is about! I would have found it embarrasing to have to sit through a science lesson where they discussed ME/CFS.

3) Could it result in higher name calling? eg: eurgh you have that autism as if it was a disease?

4) Would it encourage 'labelling' of children rather than recognising the individual difficulties and supporting them!

Yes I agree that in schools there should be a higher agenda to combat things such as name calling and bullying esp regarding picking on 'special' kids but that should be an issue for form tutor time and PSE style lessons.

However I do feel that in childcare and teaching courses there should be module esp for inclusion ,recognising SEN etc so that teachers and practitioners can be more supportive.

Answer 10

Educating children about aspergers is a double edged sword.  On one hand, they would know to recognize that aspies are different and think differently.  On the other hand, it tells them exactly where an aspies buttons are.  Kids are mean to aspies in general and aspies get picked on a lot.  Educating the masses as to where an aspie's buttons are means that picking on aspies will become much more efficient.

Answer 11

of couse it would be better if they could include topics and lessons on Aspergers, as would it for a million other things.

there is only so much a teacher can teach in a time period and that is organised by the government

Answer 12

i think its an excellent idea...teaching anyone about it because then it provides more understanding...and hopefully would stop people from being rude and disrespectful to those who have disabilities.

aspbergers is on the opposite side of the autism spectrum so it should automatically be taught with it.

but i dont think it should stop there...teach about all kinds, different kinds, ask students if they know anyone who has a disability...that way it opens them up and they are able to share their experiences and better understand.

i think part of the reason that people may not be accepting of people who have disabilities is because they are unaware and unedicated. if we educate, that unassuredness will be gone!

i have 2 cousins with autism and a great uncle with down syndrome

Answer 13

It should be taught  very early in elementary school since there is an Autism epidemic. 1 out 150 children has Autism, 1 out 94 boys is in the Autism Spectrum. So, it can mean that would be a time in which almost in every classroom in the USA will be an Autistic child... It is good that every child knows about this syndrome & how to treat children with special needs..

Answer 14

I think most teachers have their hands full as it is: the best you can hope for is that we equip our children with the means, capacity and inclination to find out for themselves about how the world works.