Why propose inclusion?
The most commonly debated question that arises is this; if the regular classroom teacher is not fully equipped to provide accommodations for a student with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), then why discuss the need for inclusion? Why not continue the previous trend of sending all of those students to the “resource room” to be educated by the special education teacher? What can be gained in a larger setting? Individuals with an ASD are often recognized first by their ineptness in social interactions with others. They often say things that are inappropriate or they may speak only rarely if at all. In play, they may remain off in a corner inspecting rocks while their peers are carrying on a game of tag. If the student remains in the special educational setting with fewer interactions with mainstream classmates, he will undoubtedly experience little or no growth socially. The child may grow into an adult who has difficulty in the work environment because he has still not learned effectiv