Tools for Schools
Recent years have seen a rise in the number of bilingual children on the autism spectrum. Department for Education figures show there are now over 20,000 children in England with autism who have a first language other than English, a rise has also been seen in West Sussex.
The West Sussex Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) and the Autism and Social Communication Team (ASCT) in collaboration with the University of Chichester have developed An Evidence-Based Guide to Autism and Bilingualism.
Dr Seach, from the University of Chichester commented: “We have co-produced this guide to highlight the intersection between autism and bilingualism and provide teachers and clinicians with strategies which recognise the ways in which the languages spoken at home and at school are fundamental to a child’s learning and social development.”
Last updated 30 January 2023