I heard earlier today that the children’s commissioner Sir Al Aynsley-Green has described education provision for kids with autism as ‘shocking and appalling’. I have no reason to argue with him, but fear that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Provision for kids with SEN in general is dire, not just those with autism; my fear now is that people will start the whole ‘inclusion isn’t working’ gig. The opposite is the case: it is segregation that’s the problem, as special schools are innately damaging. This is not to say that I advocate dumping all kids into comprehensive schools as is; this will do more damage than good. The solution is more complex. My fear, however, that this report will cause a backlash from those who think segregation is the way forward – it isn’t; and I doubt it was the author’s intent to say such a thing. Nevertheless, the inclusion debate has just warmed up a bit more.

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