Understanding Parents' Experiences With Mainstream Schooling for Their Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Occupational Therapy
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face significant occupational challenges in mainstream educational settings.
• While mainstream schooling offers social and learning benefits, parents often struggle to ensure their child's unique needs are met.
• This highlights a critical gap in understanding and accommodating ASD-specific requirements within school environments.

Approach:

• A systematic review of 26 qualitative studies was conducted, encompassing the experiences of 397 parents of children with ASD.
• Data were synthesized using the Joanna Briggs Institute meta-aggregation process, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• Studies spanned 2013-2021 and included diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds in Western and non-Western settings.

Key Points:

• Parents consistently reported a pervasive lack of awareness and understanding regarding their children's specific learning needs within mainstream schools.
• This deficit was observed across all educational levels, indicating systemic challenges.
• The findings underscore the need for improved communication and tailored educational strategies for children with ASD.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapy has a crucial role in supporting school-aged children with ASD, their families, and educators.
• Recommendations include implementing family-centered and ecological approaches, enhancing awareness, advocating for policy changes, and fostering collaboration.
• Guidance is provided for occupational therapists to address occupational barriers at individual, targeted, and whole-school levels.