Why charter schools for Autistic students aren't the solution

The Government is planning to open two charter schools designed for Autistic students with the intention of closing gaps within the education system. However, the community broadly disagrees. 

I wasn’t always open about my Autism, ADHD and dyslexia, either to others or to myself, but in recent years I’ve done my best to advocate for the rights of neurodivergent people like me. But after finding out there was a neurodivergent community and meeting other Autistic people, I became more open and proud to identify as such. 

I’ve learned that although there are challenges, finding the right people and community can make the world far more inclusive than I once believed. I now have a job, friends, and a meaningful role in my community. I credit much of this to our public education system, which provided me with the support I needed to access learning on an equal footing with other students, while also giving me independence when I needed it.

Unfortunately, the support I received is not available to everyone. My schools had to fight the Ministry of Education to secure teacher aide support and a reader–writer for tests. Even then, I was only funded for eight hours of support, and my school often had to find ways to extend this. Many of my teacher aides were paid at or near minimum wage despite the incredible work they did.

Much of the support I received was possible because my parents had the financial means to provide it. They were able to send me to the right schools and pay for specialist assessments: something that is, unfortunately, still a requirement for ORS funding.

The level of support available for disabled students within our education system is dire, and in many cases accessible only to those with money and resources. Because of this, I have a deep sense of sympathy and admiration for every parent, teacher, and organisation trying to support Autistic learners while being held back by a system that consistently works against them.

Reading that the Government plans to open two charter schools for Autistic high school students, my feelings are mixed — but mostly filled with concern about what this means for the future of Autistic students in Aotearoa. 

I was surprised to see that the proposal had the support of Autism NZ, an organisation that I would expect to listen to us and represent our voices. Though I am much less surprised that many Autistic adults have already spoken out strongly against it. The voices of Autistic people must always be the priority, and I’m concerned that this decision may have been made without meaningful community consultation or consideration of the broader Autistic community. 

I do acknowledge that most of the people involved in developing this school have good intentions. For many parents, it may feel like the only viable option for children who are likely to face significant hardship within our public education system. For example, because of the lack of the resources, Autistic students have been expelled from school and struggled to find new, inclusive ones. 

Some supporters of this plan argue that it will provide more specialised learning and often use the phrase “one size doesn’t fit all.” This is indisputable and aligns with what Autistic advocates have been saying for years. However, where I — and many other Autistic people — disagree is in the segregation of Autistic and non-Autistic students being in the best interests of both groups.

Segregation only reinforces prejudice and misunderstanding toward neurodivergence. Schools should teach us how to think and work together, and having Autistic and neurotypical students in the same classes—and hopefully the same friendship groups—benefits everyone. In high school, my favourite class was drama, not because I loved acting, but because it let me get to know others in my year, Autistic and non-Autistic alike. I don’t think that would have been possible in a specialist school. I will always be grateful for my neurotypical friends. They taught me that challenges, such as loneliness, procrastination, and anxiety are universal, and that we all have shared interests.  

Instead of removing barriers within public education or increasing funding to specialist schools, the Government has chosen to invest in charter schools. Unfortunately, they are part of the problem, not the solution. The Government appears to view disability through a deficit-based lens, using charter schools as a way to, in effect, make disabled students disappear from mainstream schooling.

Although these new schools operate independently, they will still receive Government funding — and while the full costs have not been released, it is clear that this money could have been used to address the very real challenges neurodivergent students face in mainstream education. I do not believe these schools will adequately prepare students for life beyond the classroom.

So while I understand the arguments in favour, I believe that this school is, overall, a harmful idea. It might offer some short-term benefits, but in the long run, will very likely cause harm and further risk the alienation of Autistic people. I’d like Autism NZ to consider whether this policy truly serves the needs of the people they represent — and to listen to Autistic individuals who are telling them that this is not what we want.

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