Voice of the Child - An Investigation into the Social Inclusion of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Mainstream Primary Settings
Keywords:
ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autism, SEN, Special Educational Needs, Mainstream, PrimaryAbstract
Inclusion has become an integral component of special education in recent years. However, challenges persist in assessing outcomes of the inclusion process, particularly the social outcomes for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). This article is based on a study which investigated the social inclusion of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who were fully enrolled in mainstream Irish primary settings, using the perspectives of children with ASD and their peers. Social acceptance and rejection of children with ASD were measured using the Social Inclusion Survey. The Guess Who measure was also used to identify behavioural descriptors associated with peer acceptance and rejection. Findings showed that children with ASD do not experience the same levels of social inclusion as their typically developing peers. In addition, low levels of ‘pro-social’ cooperative behaviours and high levels of ‘costly’ shy, help-seeking and disruptive behaviours were identified as barriers to inclusion for these children. It is hoped that an identification of behaviours associated with social acceptance and rejection will help inform social interventions for children with ASD in mainstream schools.
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