Improving the Process of Inclusive Education in Children with ASD in Mainstream Schools

AbstractThis article is part of a competitive research project that examines factors promoting the inclusion of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in mainstream schools. We review a number of publications that make reference to strategies which facilitate the inclusive education of children with ASD in mainstream schools. These publications outline several factors that appear to help the inclusion process for children with ASD in mainstream schools. Several of these factors can be described as being associated with preparing the child with ASD in a pedagogical sense while another set of factors of potential importance is concerned with aspects of individual schools themselve

Identification of self-perception competences for professionals in the development of inclusive arts projects

RESUMEN: La generación de espacios de participación se convierte en un elemento clave para el desarrollo de procesos de inclusión social en personas con discapacidad. Las experiencias con el arte son entornos en los que las personas interactúan con sus iguales, son aceptados y reconocidos, promoviendo procesos de identidad y pertenencia a la comunidad. No obstante, se requieren de profesionales bien formados que sean capaces de crear contextos artísticos verdaderamente inclusivos donde no haya espacio para la marginación. El objetivo del artículo es identificar la autopercepción de competencias para desarrollar proyectos artísticos inclusivos por parte de los profesionales de las instituciones artísticas y socio-educativas; y determinar sus necesidades formativas para implementarlos. Mediante una metodología mixta, y a través de un cuestionario, entrevista y grupo de discusión, 388 profesionales de instituciones artísticas y socioeducativas procedentes de cinco países europeos participan en el estudio. Los resultados muestran que, aunque los profesionales se sienten competentes para desarrollar proyectos artísticos inclusivos, requieren de una formación que les permita profundizar en lo que se entiende por proyectos artísticos inclusivos, así como de metodologías inclusivas en las que ninguna persona se sienta excluida. Para los profesionales crear entornos colaborativos se torna en un elemento de éxito para su implementación.ABSTRACT: The generation of spaces for participation becomes a key element for the development of social inclusion processes in people with disabilities. Experiences with art are environments in which people interact with their peers, are accepted and recognized, promoting processes of identity and belonging to the community. However, it requires well-trained professionals who are able to create truly inclusive artistic contexts where there is no room for marginalization. The objective of the article is to identify the self-perception of competencies to develop inclusive artistic projects by professionals of artistic and socio-educational institutions; and to determine their training needs to implement them. By means of a mixed methodology, and through a questionnaire, interview and focus group, 388 professionals of artistic and socio-educational institutions from five European countries participated in the study. The results show that, although the professionals feel competent to develop inclusive artistic projects, they require training that allows them to deepen their understanding of what is meant by inclusive artistic projects, as well as inclusive methodologies in which no person feels excluded. For professionals, creating collaborative environments becomes an element of success for their implementation