The number of pupils with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who receive their education in mainstream schools in the UK has increased considerably over the last 10 years. Despite this increase, teachers and other support staff face a number of challenges in order to ensure that these inclusive arrangements bring maximum benefits to the children…

This paper considers the key findings of a DfES-funded study that explored the relationship between achievement and inclusion in mainstream schools in England. The methodology involved a statistical analysis of nationally held data on all pupils at the end of key stages 1-4, together with a series of site visits to "inclusive" mainstream schools.…

The paper summarizes the research literature on educating children with severe learning difficulties in ordinary schools, describes individual integration schemes, and presents an organizational model for integrating British children with severe learning difficulties into ordinary schools. (Author/JDD)