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The Academe

Volume no. 21 | 2021
Issue no. 1


Title
INCLUSION OF STUDENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN MAINSTREAM CLASSROOMS: THE GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHERS’ LIVED EXPERIENCES
Author
Queenie M. Macatangay; Angela C. Napa
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Abstract
In today's time, there is a huge demand for inclusive education. It has been proven that general education teachers who manage inclusion have trouble integrating all learners, especially those with special educational needs (SEN). Since the policy initiatives for inclusive education were not sufficiently strengthened to give them professional training and education in such matters, learners with SEN, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), have not yet received enough appropriate pedagogies from our educational system, making the idea of "education for all" a goal for almost fifty years. Thus, my study examined the lived experiences of general education teachers who have handled inclusive classrooms with learners with ASD, their self-efficacy, and teaching competencies considering the other various factors that have affected them. A qualitative case study design was utilized in this study. The data obtained from focus group discussions with six general education teachers and from an evaluation checklist were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results indicated continuous professional development through various seminars, training, and further education as a crucial prerequisite for general education teachers handling inclusion. Moreover, it was discovered that there were several factors that assisted them in the implementation of inclusive education. Yet, there is a number of difficulties that greatly impact their self-efficacy and teaching competencies that were also determined. The researcher presented enhanced teaching approaches that cater to all kinds of learners within an inclusive classroom that increase student participation and boost their potential.
Keywords
Inclusive education, special educational needs (SEN), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), self-efficacy, teaching competencies, general education teachers
References
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