Understanding The Voices And Educational Experiences Of Autistic Young People

Providing a ‘one stop’ text, Understanding the Voices and Educational Experiences of Autistic Young People is a unique and comprehensive contribution to bridge the gap between theory, research and practice. Based on the author’s teaching and research experience, this book provides a theoretical and practical framework for participatory rights-based autism research and demonstrates the benefits of – and growing emphasis on – voice and participation research; if done correctly it can be of immense benefit to policy, practice and how we support autistic young people. Alongside a critical and extensive review of research literature and debate on the efficacy of mainstream inclusion for autistic children, the book provides practical advice on how to support autistic children in research and in school. Significantly, Goodall investigates and presents the educational experiences of autistic young people – including girls – and their suggestions to improve educational practice from their own perspectives, as opposed to adult stakeholders. This book will act as a key text for student teachers, practitioner-researchers, those already supporting autistic children in education or social settings (including teachers, school leaders, special education leads, policymakers) and academics researching in the areas of autism and inclusion.

Providing a ‘one stop’ text, Understanding the Voices and Educational Experiences of Autistic Young People is a unique and comprehensive contribution to bridge the gap between theory, research and practice. Based on the author’s teaching and research experience, this book provides a theoretical and practical framework for participatory rights-based autism research and demonstrates the benefits of – and growing emphasis on – voice and participation research; if done correctly it can be of immense benefit to policy, practice and how we support autistic young people. Alongside a critical and extensive review of research literature and debate on the efficacy of mainstream inclusion for autistic children, the book provides practical advice on how to support autistic children in research and in school. Significantly, Goodall investigates and presents the educational experiences of autistic young people – including girls – and their suggestions to improve educational practice from their own perspectives, as opposed to adult stakeholders. This book will act as a key text for student teachers, practitioner-researchers, those already supporting autistic children in education or social settings (including teachers, school leaders, special education leads, policymakers) and academics researching in the areas of autism and inclusion.

An essential guide for any professionals working with autistic children and young adults, this book provides expert insights which need to be considered by professionals, parents and autistic people alike. It covers key themes such as anxiety and wellbeing, transition into adulthood, sexuality, intersectionality, and many more. A unique blend of first-hand experience, parental guidance and professional advice is provided from prominent figures in the autism field to offer you an overview of the important issues of today, to help you understand and better support autistic young people.

This handbook provides educators and school practitioners with a practical resource to successfully support speaking and non-speaking autistic students in K–12 school settings. Each chapter discusses an approach founded on current research on the self-reported school priorities of autistic students, which historically have been overlooked in research and education. Incorporating the views and experiences of autistic students promotes the use of human-rights-centered pedagogies and ensures that evidence-based practices are both ethical and effective in supporting the learning and well-being success of autistic students. The informative content challenges assumptions of normative ability and highlights opportunities where evidence-based practices to support autistic students can be used alongside inclusive best practices to improve the educational experiences of all students. This handbook's flexible and easy-to-use design can be used in its entirety or as a reference tool for school practitioners, teachers, and parents.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents itself in many different ways, and teachers must be able to identify individual and shared characteristics to provide proper support. This can often present problems for teachers who lack experience of working with children across the entire spectrum, which ranges from supporting those with severe learning difficulties to working with highly able young people. Using real-life examples from their decades of experience, Francine Brower and Keith MacKenzie Cox explain how to identify diverse characteristics of autism and explore key challenges that individuals and schools face. With an emphasis on practical solutions, they offer a wealth of creative strategies and interventions perfect for any setting, from tapping into special interests and establishing routines to developing social skills. Covering a range of autism presentations, including sensory differences, communication, behaviour and socialisation, this is the ideal book for mainstream and special school teachers looking to improve their special educational needs provision, and develop the best possible learning outcomes for all pupils on the autism spectrum.

Many Canadian children from minority status groups experience long-term academic complexities, influencing their sense of school belonging and engagement. Research demonstrates children with intersecting differences of race, ethnicity, language, and disability, and those in their middle years (10–13 years old), undergo heightened academic challenges. Yet, what are children with disabilities’ personal schooling experiences, and how may these insights support inclusive learning, teaching, and sense of belonging? Within Toronto, one of the most diverse Canadian cities, this book explores the stories and experiences of six middle years children with intersecting differences of race, ethnicity, language, and disabilities (particularly autism). Through narrative and critical discourse analysis research methods the children’s views were accessed via a mosaic multi-method data collection approach, including their own photography, drawings, journal writings, imaginative story games, and interview texts. The children’s narratives illustrate their understandings of differences, learning, and inclusion. This book presents innovative insights highlighting the voices of children with disabilities as they navigate through complex issues of diversity and share how these impact their understandings and experiences of school inclusion and exclusion. The author advocates inviting the voices of children with intersecting differences into educational conversations and research processes, as they may adeptly advance areas of inclusion and diversity.

In this strikingly honest collection, developed from a pioneering new research project, autistic teachers and other autistic school professionals share their stories of the challenges and successes of their careers. Contributors challenge assumptions and stereotypes whilst highlighting the unique strengths autistic staff can bring to schools when their own needs are accommodated. The book explores exclusion and identity, understanding and acceptance, intersectionality and facilitating inclusion. It also celebrates the positives that come with being an autistic teacher, such as relating to neurodivergent pupils and conveying passion and enthusiasm for a subject through intense interests, or demonstrating particular skills in school leadership. It examines how workplace set up can sometimes exclude autistic individuals and lead to skilled teachers and those in other education roles, including visiting professionals, leaving the profession, and sets out the accommodations that can prevent this from happening.

The importance of enhancing students’ well-being is recognised around the world, yet the well-being of autistic students remains largely unexplored. With the increasing enrolment of autistic students in mainstream schools, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive understanding of the well-being of autistic students to facilitate their sense of well-being in school. Enhancing the Well-Being of Students on the Autism Spectrum offers an in-depth understanding of the well-being of students on the autism spectrum using the innovative research methodology, Photovoice. Throughout the text, the author incorporates photographs taken by students on the autism spectrum, as well as interviews with the students, their teachers, and parents, to bring the authentic experiences of these students to the fore. The book also covers: An overview of the well-being of autistic students; Barriers to the well-being of autistic students and ways to overcome them; Protective factors of the well-being of autistic students and ways to develop these within the school context. This book is a necessary companion for postgraduate students in the field of education and special education, practitioners within the school context, and researchers interested in the area of autism spectrum condition or student well-being.