Educators’ Attitudes Towards the Inclusion of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Jordanian Public Schools

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to examine the attitudes of teachers and school professionals towards the inclusion of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Jordanian schools. Specifically, the study investigates whether the variables of knowledge and training in ASD, educational role, experience in ASD, academic qualification, gender, age, and school level are associated with educators’ attitudes towards the inclusion of students with ASD. The descriptive survey method was conducted to examine educators’ attitudes and their correlations with the study variables. An electronic survey was completed by 430 participants who were educators at public and private schools in Jordan (including general and special education teachers), school principals, and counselors. The results of the study evidence that Jordanian educators hold neutral attitudes towards the inclusion of students with ASD in Jordanian schools. Further, the study shows that these attitudes are correlated with training and knowledge in ASD. In contrast, educational role, experience, academic qualification, age, gender, or school level are not associated with educators’ attitudes. The implications and limitations of the study are discussed.