I've been asked for help by someone who works for Barnardo's and who is doing a project on inclusion of children with SN in worship etc .
I've just jotted down a few things that seem to be to be barriers to inclusion - this is just about autism as that's what I know about. I'd really like some more input though, so if anyone has the time, I'd be very grateful!
? Environment ? children with autism often have a very strong dislike of strange/new environments. It is often difficult to get my son even to enter a new and unfamiliar place.
? Noise ? many children with autism are hypersensitive to noise ? organ music being the obvious example in a church context.
? Music ? children with autism often love music (although perhaps not loud organ music!) and react positively to it ? however they may become very upset when the music finishes!
? Lighting ? children with autism may have strong dislikes of both dark rooms, particularly those which are rather claustrophobic and don?t have windows and natural light, and rooms which are brightly lit with artificial light particularly if it is of the harsh, strip light variety.
? Joining in ? children with autism are unlikely to want to join in with group activities. Even children who are quite high functioning (such as children whose diagnosis is Asperger Syndrome rather than ASD) are likely to find this difficult, at least at first.