Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs and Autism: Status in the Schools of Puducherry, India

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting social interaction and communication. Children with autism are at risk of school exclusion because of the inherent problems in behavior and communication. This study was performed in Puducherry to determine whether inclusive education is practiced for children with ASD and to ascertain the difficulties faced by educators in the schools that enroll children with ASD. This study was performed in the mainstream (regular) and special schools of Puducherry between November 2018 and February 2019. The mainstream schools were contacted over the telephone, by e-mail, and by regular post, and the investigator contacted the special schools in person. Data were collected using a semistructured proforma. A total of 66 schools participated in the survey (60 mainstream and 6 special schools). Among 60 mainstream schools comprising 3,967 children, 18 (0.45%) were children with special needs (CWSN) and 2 (0.05%) had ASD. In the six special schools comprising 2,167 children, 1,844 (85%) were CWSN and 323 (15%) were those with ASD. Among the 60 mainstream schools, only 14 (23.3%) schools had provision for special educators, accounting for 42 teachers. Behavioral problems were commonly reported in special schools. Enrollment of children with ASD is negligible in mainstream schools compared with special schools in Puducherry. More studies are needed to explore the reason for the same and to explore the feasibility of providing access to disabled children in mainstream schools.