Teacher experiences of implementing interventions for autistic pupils

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impaired social communication, interaction, and stereotyped and repetitive behaviours (American Psychiatric Association, APA, 2013). Approximately 1 in 24 children in Northern Ireland have a diagnosis of ASD (DHSSPS, 2020). Teachers play a pivotal role in the development of autistic children. However, to date this cohort has been under researched in the ASD arena. Teachers are tasked with selecting the optimal interventions for their students, a significant challenge due to the variety of interventions available and the heterogeneity of autism (Hendren, 2003). Therefore, the present research seeks to examine the factors influencing these choices. Research highlights the roles of experience, knowledge, self-efficacy, and attitudes towards autism in informing intervention choices (Segall and Campbell, 2014; Simpson et al., 2005; Theodoulou, 2018). However, the relationship between these variables is complex and may differ based on school type. The relationship between these factors in informing intervention choices has yet to be studied in a Northern Irish context and thus, is the focus of the present study. The current study seeks to examine if teacher experiences, knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy impact the interventions they implement with autistic students. It further seeks to compare the intervention choices of mainstream and special education teachers. A within-subjects cross-sectional design will be used for which approximately 40 schoolteachers from mainstream and special education schools across Northern Ireland will be recruited. Relevant statistical analysis will be applied and findings will be discussed in relation to the literature.

Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 11 Nov 2021
EventPsychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference 2021 - Virtual, online
Duration: 11 Nov 202112 Nov 2021

Conference

ConferencePsychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference 2021
Period11/11/202112/11/2021

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