If you have a child with autism, deciding on where you will send them to school is an important decision. There are many pros and cons to weigh depending on whether you were thinking of an inclusive education or a specialized school. Here we will look at both options in detail. At Monarch House, we can help you with educational services for children with autism regardless of the type of school you put your child in. You can get a quality education from either, however they do have distinct frameworks and methodologies. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often require tailored approaches in education to best support their development. Understanding the differences between these two approaches can help you guide your selection.

Here are ten key differences between inclusive education and specialized schools for children with autism in Mississauga.

1. Teacher Training and Expertise

Inclusive Education: When it comes to inclusion in the community for children with autism you are dealing with a teacher that has your child, plus there are other students with other demands as well. Inclusive teachers are trained to adjust their methods to accommodate a wide range of abilities, including children with autism. They can still provide various supports from within the general classroom setting.

Specialized Schools: Teachers in specialized schools are more prepared for a child with autism. They typically have expertise in specific areas pertaining to your child (such as neurodivergent disorders). Teachers also have more training that focuses on addressing specific challenges faced by their students, including autism.

2. Social Integration

Inclusive Education: An inclusive environment is an excellent way to introduce your child with autism to a general swath of society. It’s a system that encourages social interaction between students with and without disabilities. One of the communication strategies for children with autism is to foster mutual understanding and acceptance, helping students develop empathy and collaborative skills.

Specialized Schools: At a specialized school, your child will interact primarily with other children with neurodivergence or similar conditions. Social interaction primarily occurs among students with similar needs. There are social development opportunities at schools such as these, however, the interaction is generally limited to peers with comparable challenges.

3. Definition And Philosophy

Inclusive Education: This is more of a melting pot philosophy. This system integrates students with learning challenges into mainstream classrooms. At the end of the day, the philosophy is hinged on the belief that all students—no matter their ability or disability—can benefit from being educated together in a common setting. An environment that accommodates all learners and values diversity is created in this way. This is valuable for social skill development for children with autism

Specialized Schools: There is primarily a focus on the condition of your child specifically, meaning that there will be more of the same. The specialized school model is designed to cater to specific groups of students with particular needs, and offer the same autism services and autism therapy. Your child will be educated with other children with severe disabilities, learning disorders, or other specialized requirements. The philosophy here is to provide tailored education and support that addresses the unique challenges these students face.

4. Classroom Environment

Inclusive Education: At Monarch House, we can help you with individualized education plans regardless of the type of school. This will ensure that your child gets the proper care and attention while they learn alongside their typically developing peers in the same classroom. Teachers and educational assistants will use this plan as well as differentiated instruction and various accommodations to meet your child’s needs within this shared environment.

Specialized Schools: A specialized classroom is more prepared to meet the needs of your child from the get-go. These schools feature classrooms specifically designed to meet the needs of students with similar challenges. The environment is often equipped with specialized tools and resources that cater to the specific disabilities or learning issues of the student body.

5. Curriculum and Instruction

Inclusive Education: With an inclusive education your child is basically ‘along for the ride’ when it comes to course content. The curriculum in these settings is designed to be accessible to all students, with modifications and accommodations made as needed. The focus is on integrating students into the general education curriculum while addressing individual needs.

Specialized Schools: Within a specialized school, there are systemic differences in the type of material to be learned. The curriculum is often tailored to the specific needs of students. It may include specialized programs or therapeutic interventions designed to address particular learning or developmental goals.

6. Assessment And Evaluation

Inclusive Education: How your child is graded will be another consideration as you decide on their school. In inclusive settings, evaluations focus on individual progress within the general education curriculum. With the help of your child’s individualized education plan, assessments can be adapted to accommodate your child’s neurodivergent challenges and abilities, allowing them to demonstrate their understanding in other ways. 

Specialized Schools: Assessment is different in a specialized school. The grading is geared towards evaluating progress in relation to specific therapeutic goals. These assessments are designed to measure the effectiveness of individualized programs and interventions.

7. Parental Involvement

Inclusive Education: There is a big element of parent involvement in a traditional classroom. Parents are typically involved in regular school activities and collaborate with teachers to support their child’s progress. As a parent, you’ll play a dynamic role in shaping inclusive practices through communication with educators.

Specialized Schools: Parents have more influence on learning and activities in a specialized school. You will have a more direct role in shaping your child’s educational experience. Parents work closely with specialized staff (and Monarch House’s occupational therapists for children with autism and behavioural specialists) to tailor interventions and support services. The involvement is more focused on specific needs and goals.

8. Peer Relationships

Inclusive Education: There will be plenty of opportunities for your child to mix and mingle with neurotypical teens in an inclusive classroom environment. Peer relationships are encouraged and facilitated through interactions with a diverse group of students. The emphasis is on building friendships and social networks across different ability levels. At Monarch House we can help with some bullying strategies for children with autism should the situation arise.

Specialized Schools: Your child will associate primarily with other children with neurodivergence. Their friends and peer relationships will be formed mostly among students with similar needs. While this can create a supportive community, it may limit opportunities for interaction with a broader range of peers.

9. Access To Resources

Inclusive Education: Specific resources allocated to things such as sensory processing for children with autism are not as plentiful in an inclusive environment. They are catering to a wider diversity of children in general, so certain accommodations may fall to the wayside. That said, there have been significant changes in recent years and Monarch House can help you ensure that  resources can be adapted and made available within the general education setting. We can also ask your school to provide additional supports, such as sensory rooms, or aides, or specialized material. However, the primary focus in an inclusive education environment remains on integrating all students into the mainstream environment.

Specialized Schools: When it comes to resources and tools made specifically for children with autism, specialized schools have the edge. These schools are equipped with resources and facilities tailored to the specific needs of their students, such as assistive technology, therapeutic equipment, and specialized learning tools.

10. Long-Term Outcomes

Inclusive Education: The goal of inclusive education is inclusion in the community for children with autism. This model prepares students for participation in a diverse society by promoting skills that are relevant to all areas of life, including academic, social, and vocational aspects. Inclusive education aims to create an environment where students are prepared for integrated futures.

Specialized Schools: Children with autism are not one-sized-fits-all type of individuals. They require a customized, personalized approach to almost everything they do. With this school of thought, education is no different. The focus with specialized schools is on providing targeted interventions and supports to help your child achieve his or her maximum potential within their specific areas of need. Long-term outcomes may hinge on achieving personal milestones and transitioning to appropriate community or vocational settings.

It’s not an easy decision at the end of the day. Inclusive education and specialized schools both offer unique benefits but they each have their own set of challenges. In summary, inclusive education strives to integrate all students into a common learning environment, promoting shared experiences and  diversity. Specialized schools, however, cater to providing tailored support to students with specific needs, namely your child with autism. Understanding these differences can help you choose the most appropriate educational setting. At Monarch House, we are here to support the unique developmental and educational needs of children with autism in Mississauga.