Förderung der Persönlichkeitsentwicklung von Sсhülerinnen und Schülern mit Autismus-Spektrum-Störung an Privatschulen in Lettland

Abstract

After the restoration of Latvian independence the development of private schools was very complicated; however it is now possible to talk about the use of innovative pedagogical methods in private educational institutions in particular. The present contribution is dedicated to the pedagogical resources and support of student personality development, especially of children with Asperger syndrome. The analysis includes the environment as a pedagogical medium, the pedagogical process in the unity of teaching and education, the pedagogical interaction, the collaboration of everyone in the school context as well as the professional competence of teachers when communicationg with students with Asperger sydrome. A consistent pedagogical-psychological approach for the work with autism-spectrum-disorders is not yet present in Latvia. Therefore these children are enrolled both in special educational institutions and mainstream institutions. The author supports the idea that these children can develop their talents under certain conditions: when individual attention, instruction in small groups, motivation to work with the child and ist parents are guaranteed. In addition the child’s general capabilities to anable him or her to integrate with socieity need to be developed. The author discussed her own experiences with the integration of students with Asperger syndrome in the context of the general elementary program in a private school.