Outcry over autism school’s ‘trans ideology’

A SCHOOL for autistic children has been accused of promoting ‘pseudoscientific’ transgender ideology to its vulnerable pupils under an LGBT charter scheme.

Council-run Kaimes School in Edinburgh, which teaches children as young as five, has around 100 pupils.

Studies suggest a strong correlation between autism and gender confusion.

Paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass, in her recent report, said children experiencing gender issues must be screened for autism, as it can offer an alternative explanation of symptoms. But Kaimes has overhauled its curriculum to become ‘trans inclusive’ in a bid to win ‘charter status’ from Scottish Government funded charity LGBT Youth Scotland (LGBTYS).

Examples include the Spanish language, which requires masculine and feminine terms, being ‘adapted’ in an effort to create a ‘gender neutral lesson’.

School noticeboards have had slogans such as ‘come out for LGBT’ and ‘trans women are real women’ put on display.

The Daily Telegraph reported that pupils have also been shown an image of a ‘gingerbread person’ which suggests gender and sex are different.

Carolyn Brown, an educational psychologist who helped the Scottish Government draw up a national autism strategy, said: ‘This is the opposite of what a specialist school in autism should be doing. These youngsters will interpret things literally. If you tell them they can be a member of the opposite sex, then they will really believe that.

‘Showing them nonsense like the gingerbread person is only going to make them confused. Youngsters are being fed pseudoscience, presented as fact. It is shocking. What they need is support to manage their autism.’

City of Edinburgh Council said: ‘We value the importance of inclusivity.’ An LGBTYS spokesman said: ‘We are committed to the Scottish Government goal of advancing equality for LGBTQ+ individuals.’