QWell you know MrsBean you're right but that dosn't mean the kids will understand and change their ways- I don't work with ASD kids but 8do* ahve 2 (at very different levels but one with AS looking to go into a comp AS place, and one already in a SNU with ASD) and am also doing an MA; there are parts of social behavioural issues that dsq just won't get- when you can't master cause and effect it becomes an incredibly difficult battle.
However there are far more disorders than ASD; ODD, EBD, tired child who can't get a nights sleep disorder (OK I amde that one up but anyone who ever cared for an overtired toddler knows what I mean)....
A great many issues that cannot be picked up except by a specialised Psych come under a general SEN heading and would affect behaviour or crucially aprenting: I've seen foster aprents with chidlren who ahve had difficult starts have to go back to an absolue non discipline level and slowly build boundaries whilst dealing with alck of confidence etc.
Me- I don't think i'veever met a vile child in my life. Oh I can think of a few rotters, but pretty much always a reason there- from the kid who bullies DS2 periodically (by far the brightest child in the class in a school with no G&T programme and severe boredom) to A child on ds1'sclass whose Mum does her best but has Bipolar Disorder; and yes, including my ds1 who has AS and is probably descrinbed by a great many as vile (his AS is well amsked unless you are very very familiar with him in all settings, he does a confirmed DX though).
'surely kicking a child off of a climbing frame is not acceptable?
' No its not, and absolutely I would have removed the DS's from that situation, and given them a good telling off to boot- but in all honesty I do it in the main for the abused child, DS'sdon't give a damn (well ds3, oddly the more severe) does but DS1 has done exactly this sort of thing repeatedly for eyars and even when I hover like a hawk he still manages to find chancees.
but anyway, whilst ASD is on the rise it's still only 1% of the pop I think, and so chances are you have a aprent who can't parent..... that may make the aprent vile, but it doesn't make the child so, just very unfortunate.