The Autism - Tylenol Headlines have filled the news recently. Research to learn more is always helpful. But there's an important point that has been missed in the discussion so far.
It's all about education
Supporting autistic students requires action in classrooms, not just debate about causes.
While studies continue and scientists seek clarity, one truth remains undeniable: autistic students are already in our schools today, and too many of them are not getting the education they need or deserve.
Does our focus need to shift?
Regardless of what may or may not contribute to autism diagnoses, the pressing issue is that schools are underfunded, understaffed, and underprepared to meet the needs of neurodivergent learners.
We have a crisis in education
- Many schools lack the resources, training, and tools to help neurodivergent students thrive.
- Teachers and support staff often feel overwhelmed and undertrained to address communication differences, sensory needs, and behavior challenges.
Social media is full of posts from educators and parents begging for help and support so they can meet the needs of these students. Every day I hear from people who want to help these students succeed but they don't have the resources.
What needs to happen
One Practical Solution
I’m working hard to bridge this gap with accessible tools. My newest book, coming out soon, When It’s Not Just One Thing, explains how autism, ADHD, anxiety, and sensory needs are interconnected—and shows how simple visual strategies can enrich learning opportunities and reduce stress for both students and staff.
It’s a practical support tool for educators and parents with resources you can use immediately. I'll be able to share more details soon. (In the meantime, I'm hoping that telling you about it now will force me to reach the "finished line" more quickly!)
So . . . NOW what?
Debating possible causes won’t change tomorrow’s classroom. Training teachers and supporting parents will.
Tell me what you think. What do you need right now to succeed in this school year? Please respond to this post and tell me what you think is most important. Even though the Autism - Tylenol headlines are prominent in the news, education needs the attention.
P.S.
I am intentionally leaving politics out of this conversation. I am hoping you will respect that and do the same.
I truly appreciate this post. Although I am a retired SLP, I still receive lots of news from younger colleagues. Even with better resources available today, there are many children entering kindergarten with no diagnosis. Some people wonder if it’s pediatricians not giving info but I’ve heard from the parents of toddlers who say they receive questionnaires about development at almost every visit. So that begs the question if parents are accurately reporting. If they are not, what is leading them to see their child’s development a different way? There’s SO much info out there that parents may be afraid. There’s questionable techniques that may not be developmentally appropriate or reflect what we currently know about language, cognition, and behavior. And, yes, I’ve seen less than adequate “speech therapy” that is delivered primarily by people without the level of knowledge and training needed for complex cases. It’s such a process for evaluation and placement in the school system – as it should be. I’m sorry to say I don’t have an answer. This issue definitely compounds the problem faced by teachers. Yes, we need more people with training – sustained training that’s not “one and done”. We need increased flexible resources to deal with the many layers of complex issues. We need teams of individuals from different disciplines. Putting an iPad in front of a student to keep them quiet is not teaching, it’s not a service, and it’s not ethical.
Thank you for your comments. You wonder about how parents see their children and you also mention Ipads. I wonder if the use of technology with young children distorts the parent’s perception of their child’s abilities and skills. There are definitely some issues that we need to sort out.