Development of a teacher training program for autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

Objective: Continuing education focused on the inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can contribute to better implementation of educational practices, and the use of online technologies is an alternative to increasing the number of specialized professionals. Methods: This study develops a distance teacher training program (DTTP) based on the previous research’s identification of the essential requirements for training education professionals caring for children with ASD within a collaborative digital learning environment are used to facilitate learning techniques, strategies, and resources with the goal of fostering innovation; and tests and discusses the program’s feasibility. Results: A total of 187 education professionals from a municipality in Brazil participated in this study and answered a structured questionnaire to collect information on practices, attitudes, and knowledge. Data were analyzed quantitatively to characterize the sample, and the answers were analyzed qualitatively using Nvivo coding assistance software and manual coding; key concepts were isolated, themes developed, and quotes were identified within the interview transcripts to illustrate data analysis. Data saturation was achieved through interviews to identify themes for the syllabus of the course. Conclusion: From the results and based on active learning methodologies to address real-world problems and promote practical and collaborative solutions to daily challenges with theoretical support, the DTTP was designed, and its application was conducted and evaluated.