VDM Verlag TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR LEARNERS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS(ASDs): EXPLORING TEACHING STRATEGIES USED FOR EDUCATION OF LEARNERS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASDs) IN MAIN STREAM SCHOOLS

Educating students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) presents many challenges to the professionals and staff charged with the responsibilities of providing appropriate education. Today many of these students are being educated in the neighbourhood mainstream schools, where the students with ASD warrant varying degree of assistance and interventions to address, social, communication, behaviour and academic needs. This study explored the teaching strategies teachers use in the education of learners with ASDs in two mainstream classrooms and a school based Unit. The researcher employed three qualitative methods: observation, semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The participants included two schools with special units; those interviewed included two SENCOs and four teachers. The findings for this study showed that teachers lacked sufficient training for themselves to understand teaching strategies for engaging students with ASDs. The study recommended that immediate curriculum for pre-service training to be included in teacher training, and universities for better professional development of teachers so that learners with ASD may benefit from inclusive education.