ERIC Number: EJ1029923
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-3116
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Exploring Teachers' Strategies for Including Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Mainstream Classrooms
Lindsay, Sally; Proulx, Meghann; Scott, Helen; Thomson, Nicole
International Journal of Inclusive Education, v18 n2 p101-122 2014
As the rates of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increase and more students with ASD are enrolled in mainstream schools, educators face many challenges in teaching and managing social and behavioural development while ensuring academic success for all students. This descriptive, qualitative study, embedded within an inclusive pedagogical approach, draws on a purposive sample of 13 elementary school teachers who have experience in teaching children with ASD within two cities in Ontario, Canada. Through in-depth interviews we asked about teachers' strategies for creating an inclusive environment within their classroom. Teachers had several recommendations for successfully including children with ASD in mainstream classrooms including: (1) advocating for resources and essential training; (2) tailored teaching methods; (3) teamwork within the school; (4) building a rapport with parents and students; and (5) building a climate of acceptance within the classroom through disability awareness, education and sensitivity training. In conclusion, teachers need to use several strategies and have appropriate training and resources to optimise the successful inclusion of children with ASD.
Descriptors: Educational Strategies, Inclusion, Mainstreaming, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Classroom Techniques, Qualitative Research, Elementary School Teachers, Special Needs Students, Interviews, Classroom Environment, Advocacy, Educational Resources, Professional Training, Teaching Methods, Teamwork, Teacher Student Relationship, Parent Teacher Cooperation, Sensitivity Training, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Consciousness Raising, Collegiality, Teacher Characteristics, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A