Interactions Between Teachers and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Mainstream Secondary Education: Fundamental, yet Under-Researched

Abstract

This study aimed to identify which aspects of teacher-student interactions contribute to a successful inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in mainstream secondary classrooms. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Eight studies fulfilled our criteria, and we identified teacher-related and student-related themes. Most of the included studies did not focus on interactions between teachers and students with ASD, but on requirements that could influence these interactions. Teachers often seemed to infer the needs of students with ASD during their interactions, which, as we illustrate, may not always be in line with their actual needs. We discuss the implications of this gap in the literature and how to bridge this gap.

Factors Affecting Autistic Students’ School Motivation

“…While much research emphasizes a need for a greater professional understanding of autism [55], teacher preparation programs and professional development sessions, predominantly based on outsider perspectives, tend to perpetuate ableist biases and the use of pedagogical practices that hyper-focus on fixing traits internal to the autistic student, including behavioral-based interventions that attribute a lack of engagement to avoidance or attention-seeking behaviors. The risks associated with implementing support and strategies based on outsider perspectives are that they tend to be based on deficit views of ability [56] and are more likely to be abandoned or rejected by students [28], thus emphasizing the need for educators to engage in proactive and collaborative informationgathering discussions with autistic students to better understand their perspectives on the specific enablers and barriers affecting their motivation and engagement in learning and to promote a shared responsibility for finding positive solutions.…”