Attitudes of Special Education Teachers in Jordanian Private Schools towards the Inclusion of Autistic Children in These Schools: Empirical Study

Waleed H Nawafleh

doi:10.7176/jep/11-27-07

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the attitudes of special education teachers in Jordanian private schools towards the inclusion of autistic children in these schools. The researcher adopted a descriptive analytical approach. He selected a random sample that consists from 70 female and male special education teachers. Those teachers were selected from 14 private schools located in Amman, Jordan. Questionnaire forms were distributed to those teachers by hand. All the distributed forms were retrieved and deemed valid for analysis. To analyse data, the SPSS software and descriptive statistical methods were used. Several results were reached. For instance, special education teachers in Jordanian private schools have negative attitudes towards the inclusion of autistic children in these schools. In addition, such inclusion shall not encourage autistic children to engage in group games with their normal peers. It shall not improve the social, academic and adaptive skills of those students nor their capability to face challenges independently. Jordanian private schools have many resources and adequate funds for supporting such inclusion. Keywords : Attitudes, special education, inclusion, autism, private schools, Jordan DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-27-07 Publication date: September 30 th 2020

Highlights

During the last decade, the number of autistic individuals has been increasing (Kuzminski et al, 2019)
The present study aimed to explore the attitudes of special education teachers in Jordanian private schools towards the inclusion of autistic children in these schools
This knowledge enables officials to make decisions in this regard that are for the favour of autistic children. -Parents of autistic children in Jordan: This study provides those parents with knowledge about the willingness of special education teachers to integrate their autistic children in private schools

Summary

Introduction

The number of autistic individuals has been increasing (Kuzminski et al, 2019). The intellectual disability and language disorders are common among autistic individuals. The autistic individuals may be learning slowly and suffer from difficulties in comprehending and producing language. Autistic individuals suffer from poor capabilities in understanding language functions (i.e. irony). They show failure in using expressive gestures and following the eye gaze of someone. They have difficulties in establishing, maintaining and understanding relationships, including: relationship with colleagues, co-workers, siblings and care givers (The American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

Methods

Results

Conclusion