TY - JOUR
T1 - Teacher education and confidence regarding autism of specialist primary school teachers
AU - Lisak Segota, Natalija
AU - Lessner Listiakova, Ivana
AU - Stošić, Jasmina
AU - Kossewska, Joanna
AU - Troshanska, Jasmina
AU - Petkovska Nikolovska, Ana
AU - Cierpiałowska, Tamara
AU - Preece, David
PY - 2020/11/9
Y1 - 2020/11/9
N2 - Legislation and policy within Croatia, the Republic of North Macedonia and Poland supports the educational inclusion of children with autism; however, such inclusion is nascent in these countries. A survey of experienced teachers working directly with children with autism in both inclusive and special schools was undertaken in winter 2018-19. Five hundred and sixty questionnaires were distributed and 340 returned (61% response); after cleansing, 242 responses were analysed. Over a quarter of respondents had received no instruction regarding autism during initial teacher education; almost half had undertaken no continuing professional development on the topic. Special school teachers reported higher overall confidence, but levels remained low within a number of key domains. Teachers identified a need for appropriate teacher education regarding theory, relevant practical strategies and mentorship/supervision. Implications regarding inclusive practice and teacher education in these countries are identified.
AB - Legislation and policy within Croatia, the Republic of North Macedonia and Poland supports the educational inclusion of children with autism; however, such inclusion is nascent in these countries. A survey of experienced teachers working directly with children with autism in both inclusive and special schools was undertaken in winter 2018-19. Five hundred and sixty questionnaires were distributed and 340 returned (61% response); after cleansing, 242 responses were analysed. Over a quarter of respondents had received no instruction regarding autism during initial teacher education; almost half had undertaken no continuing professional development on the topic. Special school teachers reported higher overall confidence, but levels remained low within a number of key domains. Teachers identified a need for appropriate teacher education regarding theory, relevant practical strategies and mentorship/supervision. Implications regarding inclusive practice and teacher education in these countries are identified.
KW - Croatia
KW - North Macedonia
KW - Poland
KW - Teacher education
KW - autism
U2 - 10.1080/08856257.2020.1829865
DO - 10.1080/08856257.2020.1829865
M3 - Article
VL - 0
SP - 1
EP - 14
JO - European Journal of Special Needs Education
JF - European Journal of Special Needs Education
SN - 0885-6257
ER -
