Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Who Participate in FIRST Robotics

One of the challenges of educating adolescents with autism spectrum disorders is to find activities that are interesting and engaging. Researchers have shown that adolescents with autism often are attracted to technology. Using an exploratory research method, the experiences of three students with a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inProceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 57 - 78
Main Authors Fisher, Karin M., Gallegos, Benjamin, Bousfield, Taylor
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference 01.01.2019
Subjects
After School Programs
Autism
Children
Clubs
Cooperative Learning
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 9
Learner Engagement
Parent Attitudes
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Preadolescents
Robotics
Self Esteem
Special Schools
STEM Education
Student Interests
Student Needs
Students with Disabilities
Teaching Methods
Teamwork
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Summary:One of the challenges of educating adolescents with autism spectrum disorders is to find activities that are interesting and engaging. Researchers have shown that adolescents with autism often are attracted to technology. Using an exploratory research method, the experiences of three students with autism who participated in after school robotics clubs were analyzed. Common themes to emerge were the students with ASD were engaged and interested in FIRST robotics and technology. Specifically, they enjoyed coming up with ideas, inventions, and creating or solving missions. Their confidence increased and they learned to work better on teams. Additionally, they needed significant supports to participate in FIRST Robotics.
ISSN:2572-6412
2572-6412
DOI:10.20429/stem.2019.030105