Page 73 - Issue 112 May-June 2021

Autism About the author Kat Williams is an award winning Autistic advocate and a director of Autistic UK CIC, focusing on systems advocacy, currently working with bodies such as Welsh Government and NHS Boards to influence policy. autisticuk.org @AutisticUK @AutisticUK “We asked what impact school has had on the autistic person’s mental health” Returning to education Respondents advise that only a minority of pupils return to their mainstream school without support after periods of non- attendance (9.02%). Most respondents are still out of traditional education, either Educated Other Than At School (EOTAS), home educated, or still registered but not attending (56.56%). Only 36.89% of pupils return to state schools, regardless of whether they are full or part time, supported, and/or in specialist provisions. This may be indicative of the reactive responses to supporting autistic pupils and the difficulties faced by parent/carers in obtaining funded support via EHCPs/Statements/Funded Healthcare Plans. While the expense of these plans is often quoted as a reason not to assess (as are arbitrary rules regarding academic attainment), the cost to local authorities and the NHS in funding out of school tutors, EOATS provisions, additional educational psychology, inpatient care, and mental health support is far greater than that of proactive, properly funded, and appropriate support. The cost to the autistic young person’s wellbeing when school placements fail is far greater again. Impact on mental health (fig. 3) We asked what impact school has had on the autistic person’s mental health. It is stark to see how many autistic young people have attempted suicide as a result of attending school: 2.94% had made an attempt, with 6.72% having suicidal thoughts. Further analysis of these figures reveals that of the 21 autistic young people who had suicidal thoughts and/or had attempted suicide, 8 were of primary school age (4-11), and 13 of high school age (11-16). In light of the rising suicide rates in under- 25s, this should be of great concern. Trauma/PTSD are also experienced by 18.91% of the autistic young people in our survey, far greater than the national average of 3%. While the title of our survey was likely to attract those who have experienced trauma, we still feel this figure needs consideration. The top five mental health impacts are: 1. Anxiety (26.89%) 2. Negative impact – not specified (24.79%) 3. Low self-esteem (22.27%) 4. Trauma (18.91%) 5. Depressed/low (13.45%) This has a lasting effect on the autistic pupil’s lives, with those who responded as adults stating poor mental health caused by school still impacts their lives today. Physical health (fig. 4) It is crucial that educators understand that many autistic people have co- occurring health conditions which impact on their ability to access education, and exacerbate the difficulty they have in managing day-to-day demands and expectations. Nearly a quarter of respondents indicate that they/their child has a co-occurring condition, the most common of which were connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. SEN112 73 ■ fig. 3 senmagazine.co.uk