Calls for better autism training for teachers

There has been calls for better teacher training for dealing with autistic pupils, after a child in Plymouth Devon has created a YouTube video describing his experience of regularly being singled out for displaying symptoms in class.

11 year old Robbie, from Plymouth in Devon is due to move to a new school next term because of the way he has been treated.

His mother, Jenny, said: "It's not just Robbie - it seems this is happening in lots of schools with autistic kids. He wants to raise awareness of the fact this is happening.

"There is not enough training for teachers, and there seems to be a social norm to pick on autistic kids.

"On the whole we have been let down by the school.

"One teacher has been banned from teaching him because he would single him out in the middle of the class. It says in his notes that if he is fidgeting they are not supposed to highlight it as it makes it worse."

Child Autism UK said there was "a lack of understanding and knowledge amongst some teachers in some schools".

The school said in a statement that Robbie's efforts to raise awareness of autism to a wide audience was "worthy and very necessary".

The statement continued: "All schools are committed to their well-publicised inclusive values, however, few schools can argue that in reality this inclusive philosophy permeates to every student and every parent. Education is certainly the key."

It school intends to show Robbie's film to staff and students to open up discussion on the issue.

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