Attitudes Toward Inclusion and Benefits Perceived by Families in Schools with Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 53; no. 7; pp. 2689 - 2702
• Main Authors: Simón, Cecilia, Martínez-Rico, Gabriel, McWilliam, R. A., Cañadas, Margarita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.07.2023; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Attitude; Attitudes; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child; Child and School Psychology; Collaboration; Educational psychology; Elementary Education; Families & family life; Family; Family Attitudes; High Schools; Human rights; Humans; Inclusion; Inclusive education; Kindergarten; Learning; Mainstreaming in education; Mainstreaming, Education; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Pediatrics; Perceptions; Psychology; Public Health; Public opinion; Schools; Secondary schools; Social change; Special education; Special needs students; Student teacher relationship; Students; Students with Disabilities; Teaching; Spain; Attitudes toward inclusion; Inclusive education; Benefits of inclusion; Learners with ASD; Partnership school–family
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05491-5

The aim of this study was to find out about attitudes toward inclusion and benefits perceived by families with children enrolled in schools attended by students with ASD at different educational stages (from kindergarten to high school). 323 families of classmates of students with ASD from different educational stages of 16 mainstream schools participated. The analysis of the attitudes, perceived benefits, relationship with the teacher, and relationship with the school was carried out through questionnaires. The results show positive attitudes toward the inclusive education of students with ASD in all families, but especially among families of children with SEN. All the families identified the benefit of inclusion. Attitudes are related to collaboration with the school and satisfaction with teachers.