Why our grants are needed
Around 1 in 100 school-age children and young people is autistic. In England, more than 70% of these are educated in mainstream schools.
With the right support at the right time, autistic young people can excel and achieve, flourish and succeed at school and in learning. However for many, school can be a challenging place. Secondary mainstream schools and colleges can be particularly challenging.
Without the right support, young people with autism can struggle at school and college.
- Children and young people with autism are three times more likely to be excluded from school than their peers.
- 63% of children and young people with autism have been bullied – particularly those in mainstream school.
- 71% of children with autism have mental health problems that persist into adolescence.
- Young people with autism are two times less likely to gain good GCSEs.
- Emotionally based school avoidance is significantly higher in children and young people with autism.
This doesn’t have to be the case.
There are many effective interventions, approaches and creative initiatives. Our funding helps mainstream secondary schools and colleges in England to put activities in place to enhance the life chances of autistic young people.