Teaching children with autism spectrum disorder with restricted interests: a review of evidence for best practice

Kerry C. M. Gunn, Jonathan T. Delafield-Butt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Citations (Scopus)
344 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Inclusive education requires teachers to adapt to children’s learning styles. Children with autism spectrum disorder bring challenges to classroom teach- ing, often exhibiting interests restricted to particular topics. Teachers can be faced with a dilemma either to accommodate these restricted interests (RIs) into teaching or to keep them out of the classroom altogether. In this article, we examined all peer-reviewed studies of teaching children with autism spec- trum disorder with RIs published between 1990 and 2014. We find that posi- tive gains in learning and social skills can be achieved by incorporating children’s RIs into classroom practice: Of 20 published studies that examined 91 children, all reported gains in educational attainment and/or social engagement. Negative consequences were limited to a decrease in task per- formance in one child and a transient increase in perseverative behaviors in two children. The evidence supports the inclusion of RIs into classroom prac- tice. Methods of inclusion of RIs are discussed in light of practical difficulties and ideal outcomes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)408-430
Number of pages23
JournalReview of Educational Research
Volume86
Issue number2
Early online date10 Sept 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jun 2016

Keywords

  • restricted interests
  • classroom practice
  • inclusive education
  • autism
  • repetitive interests

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