A compassionate exploration of the often unseen challenges autistic children face in school, shedding light on why distress may remain hidden during the school day but emerge once children return home.
In The William Gomes Podcast episode “When School Becomes Too Much: Understanding Autistic Children’s Hidden Struggles,” William Gomes examines how classrooms, while designed for learning, can also be highly demanding environments for autistic children. Sensory intensity, constant transitions, social expectations, and sustained cognitive effort often leave little opportunity for rest or regulation.
The Hidden Cost of Coping at School
The episode explains why many autistic children appear calm or compliant at school while expending enormous internal effort to cope. Gomes explores how this sustained effort is frequently misunderstood, particularly when children experience emotional release, exhaustion, or distress after school.
Rather than reflecting poor behaviour or defiance, these responses are presented as signs of a nervous system that has reached its limit after prolonged regulation.
Masking, Misinterpretation, and Distress
A key focus of the discussion is masking and its role in school settings. Gomes explains how masking can conceal the true extent of a child’s difficulty, leading adults to underestimate the level of stress being carried throughout the day.
The episode also addresses how concepts such as “school refusal” are often misinterpreted, and why they should instead be understood as communication of distress rather than avoidance.
Towards Compassionate and Accessible School Environments
The episode invites listeners to view school-related difficulties through a more compassionate lens grounded in safety, belief, and understanding. Gomes offers insight into how small, thoughtful adjustments to routines, expectations, and environments can significantly reduce stress and make schools more humane and accessible for autistic children.
Part of an Ongoing Autism Series
Part of an ongoing autism series on The William Gomes Podcast, this episode is intended for parents, educators, and professionals seeking a deeper understanding of autistic experience in educational settings and how to respond with empathy rather than pressure.
Listen to the Episode
Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-william-gomes-podcast/id1582677051?i=1000739818662
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Umesm4jtZcYi6oAVKf9h0?si=67a661e956d74fd7
YouTube
https://youtu.be/2QUmFXOktG4?si=Tw1qNzLS1s3yjE_L
The William Gomes Podcast continues to publish high-quality, neurodiversity-affirming discussions focused on improving understanding of autism across education, family life, and professional practice.
