The authorities of St. Petersburg by April will resolve the issue of opening additional inclusive classes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the next academic year, said the child rights ombudsman in the city Anna Mityanina. Earlier, parents of future first-graders diagnosed with autism or autism spectrum disorder posted a petition on the Internet to the city authorities, expressing concern about the lack of places in specialized "resource" classes for such categories of students. According to the authors of the petition, which was signed by about 40 thousand people, training in correctional schools is offered instead, where appropriate inclusive practices are not implemented. As reported in the city education committee, the authorities are exploring the possibility of opening additional classes for children with ASD in the new school year. According to the children's ombudsman, now there are 15 “resource” classes for children of different ages in the city, where 52 students study. About 30 children with autism spectrum disorder are expected to go to first grade in the new school year.
