The educational placement of children with autism: what do parents think?

Abstract

This study attempted to investigate the parental perceptions of inclusive placements of their autistic children. There were three main questions this study wished to answer: how parents felt about inclusion, the major benefits and drawbacks of inclusion, and the parents’ satisfaction level of their child’s educational placement. The major benefits expressed by parents during this study included increased independence, support of teachers, and increased self-esteem. Drawbacks included exclusion of the functional living skills curriculum, inability to meet educational goals in the general education environment, as well as the fear of exclusion, neglect, and social rejection from general education peers. Parental attitudes concerning inclusion varied depending on the severity of their child’s disability and his or her educational goals. This study concluded that 66.7% of parents were satisfied with their child’s educational placement.