This episode looks at the current state of education for high school students with high functioning autism. It is not good. It is not good, but there is hope.

The students we are discussing experience exceptionally high rates of intense anxiety in school settings. A combination of factors including the sensory overload, behavior issues due to social skills deficits, academic struggles because of organization and focus problems are among the most common ones leading to school failure.

We’ll look at factors that lead to the sometimes-debilitating mental health challenges many of these young people suffer from. Who are they and why does the system fail them so completely?

We’ll also look at a study that was conducted in the UK that describes a school for the youth we are discussing and why it has changed the lives of many of its students for the better. What it takes to create a successful program is quite simple and involves providing the support these kids need in a safe, nurturing environment.

And we’ll discuss what the school does to prepare students for adult life, and the limitations it faces.

And last, what would a program look like that would provide both an education and the life skills needed to transition to a successful adult life?

Link to article used in this program:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10583514/

Thanks to soundimage.org for the free access to the AI generated music used in this podcast (https://soundimage.org/)