ERIC Number: EJ1446463
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Dec
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1088-3576
EISSN: EISSN-1538-4829
Paraeducator Perspectives on Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Implications for Improving Paraeducator Training and Supervision
Virginia L. Walker; Christan Coogle; Ann Mickelson; Andy B. Masud
Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, v39 n4 p238-248 2024
The number of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in PreK-12 schools has increased over time. However, paraeducators supporting students with ASD typically receive limited training and are unprepared for their roles. As part of a larger survey study, we conducted a content analysis of responses by paraeducators in one U.S. state across three open-ended survey items focused on their skills, training, and challenges specific to supporting students with ASD. Despite reporting limited preparation and training, paraeducators described a variety of knowledge, skills, and dispositions related to supporting students with ASD, many of which resulted from their practical experiences as opposed to school-based training and supervision. Our findings also confirm that paraeducators face a number of challenges in collaborating with other educational professionals and families and supporting students with ASD across settings due to limited training and preparation. We present implications for developing paraeducator training programs in the area of ASD and future research directions.
Descriptors: Paraprofessional School Personnel, Students with Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Training, Supervision, Elementary Secondary Education, Knowledge Level, Job Skills, Attitudes, Student Needs, Barriers
SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2993
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A