The Special Educational Needs Crisis in Schools: Understanding the needs and listening to the perspectives of children and young people on the autism
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Psychology
Abstract
Since 1970 all children in Britain, regardless of ability, have had the right to an education. For children with a special educational need or disability (SEND), this right includes special provision where needed. With schools facing increasingly challenging budgets, this provision is not always available or effective. As a result, many children with SEND are currently not in formal education due to a lack of appropriate placement in their area, or exclusion due to their school's inability to adequately meet their needs. One group of children who are particularly affected by the current crisis are those with a diagnosis of being on the autism spectrum.
Autism looks very different in different children. The aspect that tends to be common to all is a difficulty with social communication. This can present as being shy in some children, to a complete lack of verbal communication in others. Due to their difficulties with communication, children and young people (CYP) on the autism spectrum are often not asked about their thoughts and feelings. This research aims to address that by consulting with CYP about their own views on their educational provision as well as their parents and teachers. As a result, recommendations about how schools can better cater for these children will be made. Interviews will be conducted from which themes will be extrapolated and analysed to allow a representative picture of the current provision for autistic children in schools.
Autism looks very different in different children. The aspect that tends to be common to all is a difficulty with social communication. This can present as being shy in some children, to a complete lack of verbal communication in others. Due to their difficulties with communication, children and young people (CYP) on the autism spectrum are often not asked about their thoughts and feelings. This research aims to address that by consulting with CYP about their own views on their educational provision as well as their parents and teachers. As a result, recommendations about how schools can better cater for these children will be made. Interviews will be conducted from which themes will be extrapolated and analysed to allow a representative picture of the current provision for autistic children in schools.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Hanna Kovshoff (Primary Supervisor) | |
Chloe East (Student) |
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ES/P000673/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
2273038 | Studentship | ES/P000673/1 | 01/10/2019 | 31/12/2022 | Chloe East |
Description | Presentation and workshop with Parenting Special Children |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | I presented my research to a group of autistic girls and their parents who are members of the Parenting Special Children group. This included an introduction to Body Mapping which led to a practical session in which participants attempted a body mapping task themselves. The event also included time for discussion about the research and the method. Subsequent to the workshop session I have received interest in the research and methods used from school staff and other researchers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Presentation to ACoRNS Research Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presentation to research group made up of students, practitioners and academics to introduce the area of research I am undertaking and the methods I am using. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Presentation to ACoRNS Research Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | I presented my work so far with a focus on the importance of supporting autistic girls with educational transitions and the value of using creative participatory methods to do so. This encouraged other members of the group to consider their approaches to research methods and analysis. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | SCDTP Conference presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Presentation of my research project with particular emphasis on the impact that has been made. This sparked debate about inclusion in research, methods used and the balance of power in research. The applicability of these issues to the research being conducted by other delegates was also discussed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |