“The Puzzle Piece Clicked”: Confessions of a Late-Blooming Autist

Chapter 6: Struggles in School Environment

Growing up, I have faced numerous challenges in the school environment. As a neurodivergent individual, I have struggled to fit into the rigid and often unforgiving education system. In this blog, I want to share my personal experiences and shed light on the difficulties that many autistic students like me face in Indian schools.

Sensory Overload
Schools can really be overwhelming, especially for neurodivergent students like me who struggle with sensory processing. The loud bells, nouses, chatter, crowded classes and corridors create a sensory overload that made it difficult for me to focus. I often felt trapped.

Social Struggles
Social interactions have always been a challenge for me. I find it hard to initiate or maintain conversations, and often struggle to understand social cues. My classmates would often tease me for my “weird” behavior, leaving me feeling isolated and alone at times.

Inflexible Curriculum
The major challenge faced by me was the Indian education system which is notoriously rigid, with a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t accommodate neurodivergent students like me. The curriculum is packed, and the emphasis is on rote learning rather than understanding, and practicing10 pages of writing doesn’t make sense at all. This makes it difficult for me to keep up, and I often feel like I’m failing.

Lack of Support
Unfortunately, many schools in India lack the resources and trained staff to support autistic students. Teachers often don’t understand our needs and way of communication, and we’re left to fend for ourselves, leading to meltdowns and distress. This lack of support makes it even harder for us to succeed.

Accommodations and Acceptance
I wish that schools in India would recognize the value of accommodations and acceptance. Simple changes like providing a quiet space, using visual aids, and offering extra time for assignments, reducing some course, eradicating unnecessary subjects, focusing on practical and experimental learning can make a huge difference. Moreover, accepting and understanding neurodivergent students like me can help create a more inclusive and supportive environment.

The challenges in a school environment in India as an autistic individual has been a constant struggle. However, I hope that by sharing my experiences, I can raise awareness and inspire change. By accommodating and accepting neurodivergent students like me, we can create a more inclusive and supportive education system that allows us to thrive.

Author Akaash Jain (late-diagnosed Autist)
Edited by-Shilpi Mayank Awasthi