"The big wide world of school": Supporting children on the autism spectrum to successfully transition to primary school: Perspectives from parents and early intervention professionals

The Transition to Kindergarten for Hispanic and Latine Autistic Children: A Focus Group Study with Caregivers

PURPOSE

Past research highlights the different facilitators and barriers that caregivers of children on the autism spectrum experience during the transition to kindergarten and when navigating special education services. Caregivers who identify as Hispanic and/or Latine may face distinct challenges during this process, such as language differences, differences in understanding autism and special education, and barriers to advocating for their child. Hispanic and Latine caregivers also have strengths, resources, and strategies (i.e. cultural capital) that they use during this time. However, there is little research aimed at understanding the unique experiences of Hispanic and Latine caregivers of autistic children during their entry to kindergarten.

METHODS

To address this shortcoming, the current study used qualitative methods and thematic analysis to explore the transition to kindergarten experiences of four caregivers of autistic children.

RESULTS

This study identified strengths, supportive practices, and challenges that participants experienced fell under four major themes: importance of proactive and ongoing partnerships between caregivers and schools, navigating unfamiliar language and processes, the need for dissemination of information about autism to teachers and support from trusted systems. Themes highlighted challenges such as communication differences, unfamiliar school processes, community and teacher misconceptions about autism. Facilitators the transition included proactive communication, shared goals and partnerships with school. Yosso's Community Cultural Wealth Framework is integrated into the discussion of themes and the forms of cultural capital participants used to support their child.

CONCLUSION

Recommendations for practice and research to support Hispanic and Latine autistic children during the kindergarten transition are provided.

Pre-service Teachers' Perspectives on Transition to Kindergarten Practices for Autistic Children

Autistic children present with unique challenges that may be associated with challenges during the kindergarten transition process. While teachers endorse transition to kindergarten practices as important, implementation of effective transition practices is inconsistent. One possible reason is limited training during pre-service education; however, research about this is scarce. This study examined pre-service teachers' knowledge of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and transitions to kindergarten. Findings indicate a lack of knowledge regarding both autism and transition, as well as significant differences in knowledge of autism, wherein those seeking special education certification reported higher levels of knowledge. These results highlight training opportunities for preparing pre-service teachers to better serve young autistic children.

Transition to preschool for children with Autism spectrum disorder: expectations of Turkish parents and teachers

Autism spectrum disorder is common among disability. Difficulties experienced by the child with autism in developmental areas may cause negative situations during transition to preschool. This study aims to determine the opinions of parents and teachers about expectations and whether these expectations have been fulfilled during transition to preschool. As a result of the content analysis, the perspectives of parents who participated in the study from the teachers for children with autism were collected in six categories: social acceptance, developmental expectations, social skills, communicative skills, stereotypical behaviors, and teachers expectations. Teacher perspectives from the parents of children with autism were gathered in four categories: special needs of the child, attitude and approach, acceptance, and developmental expectations. Findings are discussed in light of the related literature.