School Staff's social representations of inclusion of pupils with autism spectrum disorders

The project aims to ascertain the causes of school absenteeism and lack of achievement among students with autism spectrum disorders by studying school staff’s social representations of the inclusion of these students in regular classes. It is based on the fact that our social representations are the basis for our behaviors and interactions. Together teachers and other school staff construct mental images that act as an interpretative system. By analyzing 236 school staff’s associations of the inclusion of pupils with autism spectrum, the project seeks to understand how teachers include these students in regular classes. The project has implications for increased attainment of educational targets and reducing school absenteeism among students with autism spectrum disorder.