Parental experiences: the inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorder in mainstream education in Romania

Abstract

The education of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been debated intensively throughout past and recent years. The dramatic increase of the ASD incidence as well as the international focus on inclusion and inclusive education has generated a rapidly growing body of research. In the Romanian context also, numerous parents' NGO's have signalled the growing of the ASD incidence and acted as promoters and advocates of inclusion. Although, internationally, parental experiences about the inclusion of children with ASD have been investigated, in the Romanian context, such studies are scarce. Specific inquiries regarding the role of the parents of children with disabilities in general and the role of the parents of children with ASD in particular, have not been undertaken. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the parents of children with ASD experienced the inclusion of their children into general education settings as well as how they experienced inclusive and hindering practices. A qualitative study was undertaken based on semi-structured interviews. Six interviews were carried out involving seven biological parents of children with ASD. The data was analysed through thematic analysis. The findings suggest that the parents involved in this study perceive inclusion in the general...