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ERIC Number: EJ1388464
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1357-3322
EISSN: EISSN-1470-1243
Physical Educators' Experiences and Perceptions towards Teaching Autistic Children: A Mixed Methods Approach
McNamara, Scott W. T.; Healy, Sean; Bittner, Melissa; Blagrave, Josephine
Sport, Education and Society, v28 n5 p522-535 2023
Background: Physical educators often reported being ill-equipped to teach autistic children. Furthermore, autistic children often report having negative experiences in physical education. The physical educator is key to shaping these experiences; however, research examining these educators' perspective towards teaching autistic children is limited. Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore physical educators' experiences working with autistic children. Method: A sequential explanatory mixed methods approach was utilized by first administering a questionnaire to physical educators about their perceptions towards teaching autistic children, and second, conducting in-depth interviews with a subset of the sample. Results: Survey data revealed that participants perceived that a variety of autistic characteristics challenging their ability to effectively teach autistic children. These challenges were further elaborated on in qualitative data in the theme of 'autism is a spectrum: an array of challenges'. Moreover, participants discussed strategies employed to effectively work with autistic children (theme 2: 'best practices'), including the importance of relationship building (theme 3: 'relationship building is vital'). Conclusions/Implications: Although physical educators are using various evidence-based practices and hold some views that the challenges autistic children face are partly attributed to society and the structures within it, a medical model viewpoint continues to be prominent. Future research should examine how physical educators form their views towards teaching autistic children.
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A