The number of children being diagnosed with neurodivergent conditions such as autism has never been higher. As awareness increases, experts say, so too does the need for a fundamental shift in mainstream education to improve flexible learning options and create a supportive environment for all students.
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00:00For recently graduated autistic students like Bella and Austin, school didn't always feel
00:07inclusive.
00:08From what I'm asking, I would change kind of like my personality or like the way that
00:14I would, you know, behave or what I would say or how I would say things.
00:17It feels more like a factory production line where you've all got to produce the same result.
00:24Graham Forbes used to teach Bella and Austin, and they've participated in his research on
00:28the experiences of students with autism.
00:31His paper recommends a more flexible approach to learning, where students can pick their
00:35topics and their format.
00:38There are many ways you can present information, and there are many ways you can be assessed
00:44on how you've absorbed and understood and engaged.
00:49And we can present those options in a normal teaching process.
00:56Mr Forbes says students too often face stigma and a lack of understanding in the classroom.
01:02At a practical level, expectations around the delivery of assignments through essays
01:06or public speaking can be inflexible and challenging.
01:10It's something Bella and Austin experienced.
01:12When I was able to choose a topic, it would be something I'm interested in and would greatly
01:18help me write those words.
01:20While some Australian schools are making great strides towards inclusive education, experts
01:25say that's far from the norm.
01:27We hear a lot about children and young people that are in mainstream education, but they're
01:33not attending.
01:34They can't attend.
01:35It's not fully inclusive.
01:36The desire for more awareness around neurodivergence is shared by students.
01:41I feel like all schools have room for improvement.
01:45And all children would benefit from those improvements.