“Now We All Share the Same Knowledge Base": Evaluating Professional Development Targeting Preschool Staff’s Understanding of Autism and Inclusion Skills

Petersson Bloom, LindaMalmö universitet,Institutionen för skolutveckling och ledarskap (SOL),The National Agency for Special Needs Education and School (SPSM), Malmö, Sweden (författare)

“Now We All Share the Same Knowledge Base" : Evaluating Professional Development Targeting Preschool Staff’s Understanding of Autism and Inclusion Skills

Using a mixed-methods intervention approach this study examined the impact and process of a professional development and whether it induces changes in attitudes and practices related to autism among preschool professionals. We assessed professionals’ understanding of autism and their inclusion skills using questionnaires, audio-recorded seminars, and interviews pre- and post-intervention. Professionals, autistic children, and their parents participated. The results indicate that professional development improved attitudes and inclusive practices related to autism as experienced by professionals and parents but not as evident by autistic children. We conclude that professional development is likely to improve preschool staff’s autism knowledge and skills that may be beneficial to create inclusive education and enhance equity and learning outcomes for autistic children. We discuss organizational prerequisites as decisive for the implementation of professional development.

Bölte, SvenCenter of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden; Curtin Autism Research Group, Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia (författare)
Malmö universitetInstitutionen för skolutveckling och ledarskap (SOL) (creator_code:org_t)

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