Educators’ Challenges of Including Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Mainstream Classrooms
by Shelique Steele
1. Research Limitations
1.1. Small sample size
1.2. Majority of teachers had Special Education qualifications.
2. Challenges
2.1. Lack of understanding as how to deal with behaviour
2.2. Lack of cohesion between parents, school, teachers and students.
2.3. Teacher to Student ratio. One on One time with ASD students can be time consuming, affecting the other students.
2.4. Lack of consistency with training.
2.5. Peer understanding and acceptance
2.6. Quick often, Special Education PD is too short and general.
2.7. Ministry of Education - Standardized testing
3. Suggestions
3.1. Consistent Formal and Informal Training
3.2. School wide understanding of ASD
3.3. More resources to help includes ASD students in the classroom
4. Research
4.1. Students with ASD is on the rise
4.2. Teachers feel unprepared as to how to accomodate
4.3. Ministry of Education has made it a priority to include students with ASD in mainstream classroms
