The teachers’ perspective about the integration of students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in mainstream elementary classrooms
Over the past 30 years, the integration in mainstream classrooms of students with a an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become the prevalent approach. Therefore, in Quebec, an increased number of these students find themselves in regular classrooms, which may change the reality of numerous teachers. This study describes the integration of students with a ASD in mainstream classrooms as experienced by elementary school teachers. Data were collected through interviews conducted with fourteen teachers who work in an integration context. Key issues leading to a successful integration of students with ASD emerge from this investigation and are compatible with five intervention targets. These targets comprise: a) the adaptation and diversification of teaching strategies, b) the collaboration between the school team and the parents, c) the addition of professional resources, d) the teachers’ training and e) the availability of support programs.