Prevention of absenteeism and school failure in students with ASD: Improving the transition from primary to secondary school

The school community must be a workforce that accepts, understands and recognizes the strengths that autistic people can bring to society. This action and attitude have an impact on the future of a community of understanding and acceptance.

Therefore, it is essential to define and develop an action plan on the inclusion of students with autism with clear objectives and strategies that involve the school community. This plan must be developed by people who take a leadership role within the school.

These leaders (students, teachers, …) should provide information about autism to the whole school; provide debates and discussions about the theme, and set an example, devoting their own time to support children with autism. 

They can promote and develop their soft skills in different times and contexts of the school – in the playground, at lunch time or in the classroom.

They also can engage other students and teachers to invite the new students to be members of a musical group, a choir or a theatre play. 

Sometimes calling the new student by his given name, smiling at him or just waving him goodbye may be a sign of acceptance.