ERIC Number: EJ1206308
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Feb
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Broken Bridges--New School Transitions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review on Difficulties and Strategies for Success
Nuske, Heather Joy; McGhee Hassrick, Elizabeth; Bronstein, Briana; Hauptman, Lindsay; Aponte, Courtney; Levato, Lynne; Stahmer, Aubyn; Mandell, David S.; Mundy, Peter; Kasari, Connie; Smith, Tristram
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v23 n2 p306-325 Feb 2019
Transitioning to a new school is often challenging for students with autism spectrum disorder. Few studies have examined the transition needs of students with autism spectrum disorder or the benefits of specific supports. This review synthesizes research findings on the "difficulties" that school transitions pose for students with autism spectrum disorder and their parents and teachers, and the "strategies" used to support students and parents during school transition. The review included 27 studies (10 examining the transition to primary school, 17 the transition to secondary school), with data from 443 students with autism spectrum disorder, 453 parents, and 546 teachers, across four continents (North America, Europe, Africa, and Australia). Studies reported that children with autism spectrum disorder struggled with anxiety and increased social pressure, their parents felt overwhelmed with complex placement decisions and worried about the well-being of their children, and teachers strove to provide appropriate supports to their students with autism spectrum disorder, often with inadequate resources. Findings indicated that the most useful strategies involved helping the student adjust to the new school setting, individualizing transition supports, clarifying the transition process for parents, and fostering communication both between the sending and receiving schools, and school and home.
Descriptors: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Student Adjustment, Transitional Programs, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, Foreign Countries, Social Influences, Anxiety, Parent Attitudes, Student Placement, Well Being, Student Needs, Teacher Role, Family School Relationship, Institutional Cooperation, Student Behavior, Interpersonal Relationship, Language Skills, Teacher Competencies, Language Usage, Second Language Learning, Communication Strategies, Barriers, Knowledge Level, Coping
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Information Analyses
Education Level: Elementary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Health Resources and Services Administration (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: North America; Europe; Africa; Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: UA3MC11055