Trends in the Inclusion of Children with ASD in the General Education System: All-Russian Monitoring Results

Abstract

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objectives. </strong>To ensure the accessibility of education, taking into account the specific features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a systematic approach to the creation of special conditions based on the analysis of objective indicators of the inclusion of children with ASD in the general education environment is necessary. The trends of inclusion of children with ASD in the general education system have been identified on the basis of the results of the All-Russia monitoring in 2022.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods.&nbsp;</strong>Monitoring included statistical data collection, processing and analysis. A structured statistical form with a list of the main criteria and conditions necessary for the organisation of education for children with ASD was developed for data collection. The data were provided by the executive authorities of 85 constituent entities of the Russian Federation that carry out state management in the sphere of education.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results.&nbsp;</strong>The total number of students with ASD in 2022, as compared to 2021, increased by 17 per cent and totalled 45888 people. The share of children receiving education at different levels in the total number of children with ASD included in the education system is as follows: at the level of early help &mdash; 2.1 per cent; preschool education &mdash; 28 per cent; primary, basic and secondary general education &mdash; 68.5 per cent; secondary and higher vocational education &mdash; 1.5 per cent. In 56 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, 64 regional resource centres have been established to provide support for families raising children with ASD and to train specialists working with children and families.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusions.&nbsp;</strong>The annual intensive growth of the number of children with ASD in the Russian education system testifies to the accessibility of education and causes high requirements to the system of education of students in educational organisations in accordance with the current legislation. The increase in the share of pupils with ASD receiving inclusive education and the decrease in the share of children studying individually at home indicates the expansion of opportunities for their inclusion in the general education system. In order to improve the quality of education for children with ASD, it is necessary to introduce into the work of educational organisations the Federal Adapted Educational Programmes for students with disabilities at all levels of education, as well as to train qualified personnel.</p>