With the issue of educating children with autism spectrum disorders, or ASD, drawing increased attention in recent years, a team of MSU researchers found many of the state’s teachers are not qualified to meet the needs of those students.
Principal investigator and MSU education professor Sharif Shakrani said the ASD-Michigan Project aims to reveal the true quality of education children with ASD are receiving in the classroom. Initial data presented Saturday at MSU showed definite room for improvement.
“We hope that the results of the study result in policy changes at the state and national level,” Shakrani said. “Many of the special educators we interviewed (said) they do feel they meet the needs for students with ASD. That is a rather alarming discovery.”
Autism spectrum disorders represent many levels of autism — from severe cases to Asperger syndrome.
Shakrani said Michigan is fourth in the nation with the number of students identified with ASD. Although it seems the number of autism cases are increasing, he said professionals have done a better job at diagnosing the disorder.
“We want to send the message to not only school districts, but to other universities across the country that this is an area that requires attention,” Shakrani said.
MSU assistant professor of educational psychology Sara Bolt, who participated in the study, said it will take data collected from surveys completed by school professionals, such as autism consultants, special educators and general educators, to find how involved those students are involved with the learning process. Additionally, Bolt said she and other researchers hope to discover what learning techniques are being used and how effective they have been implemented.
“Prior to our study, there was not much that could be said about the educational services provided to these students on a statewide level,” Bolt said. “We intend to put together a final report that will be distributed to many audiences, including policymakers.”
Researchers have secured $310,000 in funding from Michigan philanthropists Ronald and Eileen Weiser, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Skillman Foundation. MSU provided an additional $100,000.
Assistant professor in special education Summer Ferreri, who also helped conduct the research, said the overall goal of the study is to improve education for ASD students, ushering in broad policy changes to keep up with current trends.
“I hope at the end of the day when all the data is collected that we can help improve the quality of education of children with autism,” Ferreri said. “When it’s all said and done, we’re going to keep going.”
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