An urgent need to address autistic children's school attendance

A University of Otago study's found their regular attendance rate was 55-percent, compared to almost 63-percent for other students.

Over a typical 13-years at school, they'd attend about 78 fewer days.

Report Co-author Joanne Dacombe says teachers need to be better equipped - as autism isn't one size fits all

She says children have unmet needs - meaning the curriculum might need adapting for them.