Collaborative teams: Teachers, parents, and allied health professionals supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Collaborative teams: Teachers, parents, and allied health professionals
supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The unique traits and behaviours of each individual student with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often present a range of barriers to their educational
experiences and development. The present study investigated collaborative
partnerships between the three stakeholders that often support students with
ASD: teachers, parents, and allied health professionals (AHPs). With current
literature on collaboration between teachers, parents, and AHPs involved in the
education of students with ASD predominantly relating to specific skill or
knowledge acquisition, there is an insufficient understanding of ‘collaborative
processes’ and the factors that benefit or limit effective practice. The present
study explored the experiences, processes, and opinions of parents, teachers, and
AHPs supporting students with ASD in mainstream Australian primary schools.
A total of 129 responses were recorded (41 teachers, 44 parents, and 44 AHPs)
through an online survey, and thematic data analysis was used to qualitatively
interpret the open-ended questions. The findings highlight the current
opportunities and challenges faced by key stakeholders in this important process.

professionals; mainstream education; inclusion