Studies indicate including students on the autism spectrum in regular classrooms can help encourage the development of communication, language and basic social skills. Also, integrating these learners can have multiple benefits for their peers, who gain leadership experience and compassion, which could reduce bullying.
However, many teachers feel ill-prepared to provide proper support to children with learning disabilities. Only 17% of general education teachers feel “very well prepared” to teach these students, yet nationally one in five public school students has a learning disability. Only seven states require future general education teachers to take classes on educating these students.
