ERIC Number: EJ1336790
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-May
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Special Education for Students with Autism during the COVID-19 Pandemic: "Each Day Brings New Challenges"
Hurwitz, Sarah; Garman-McClaine, Blaine; Carlock, Kane
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v26 n4 p889-899 May 2022
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disrupted how educators provided supports and services for students with autism spectrum disorder. School closures and related pivoting between learning modalities were difficult for all students, but especially for students with autism, who rely on routine and often require individualized instruction. There has been limited opportunity for teachers to share their experiences of rapidly changing educational circumstances. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate how special educators and school-based specialists adapted practices for such students in response to pandemic conditions. One hundred and six educators from 40 school districts completed a written survey inquiring about the modifications they made to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and their efforts to implement evidence-based practices. Participants reported adding individualized contingency learning plans to Individualized Education Programs, adjusting service minutes, and sometimes eliminating social goals. A thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006) of educators' written reflections identified four themes, highlighting a renewed importance on collaboration with parents, who helped deliver intervention and monitor progress in the home setting. While students with more intense needs struggled, others actually preferred virtual instruction. This raises concerns for what will happen in the future, when social expectations resume. Despite the overwhelming challenges posed by COVID-19, participants demonstrated remarkable resiliency and innovation.
Descriptors: COVID-19, Pandemics, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Students with Disabilities, School Closing, Special Education Teachers, Specialists, Individualized Education Programs, Evidence Based Practice, Adjustment (to Environment), Educational Technology, Technology Uses in Education, Program Effectiveness, Distance Education, Blended Learning, Teaching Methods, Teacher Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Indiana
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A