New Jersey leader wants separate schools for autistic children

By Staff Writer

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has proposed that the Garden State should create additional public schools that are specifically designed for children with autism.

During a town hall meeting in Paramus, New Jersey on Thursday night, Christie said that these "centers for excellence" will save money for school districts and ensure a higher quality of instruction for all students, according to The New York Times. The governor's proposal livens up the debate about whether autistic children should be separated from traditional public schools, or if they should be included in general-education environments.

Diana Autin, the executive co-director the nonprofit Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, told the news provider that she was "horrified" by the idea of segregating children because of their learning disabilities. Autin added that, by creating separate facilities, the state would send the message to parents that their autistic kids should not be included in normal activities.

However, Linda Meyer, the executive director of Autism New Jersey, said that Christie's proposal would provide a much-needed alternative for some families, according to the media outlet. She added that many public schools lack the faculty, training and resources to adequately educate autistic kids.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that boys are up to five times more likely to have autism than girls.