Factors affecting teachers' attitudes towards inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorder in Bosnia and Herzegovina

ABSTRACT

Teachers’ attitudes towards the education of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) play a significant part in successfulness of the inclusive education. The goal of the present study was to examine the attitudes of teachers from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) towards the inclusion of students with ASD in general education classes. The sample for this study comprised 105 elementary school teachers (75 females, 30 males) from different parts of BIH. We examined the attitudes in relation to teachers’ age, gender, education level, experience in work with children with ASD, self-efficacy, and additional training on ASD. The findings of this study indicate mainly positive attitudes of teachers towards the inclusion of students with ASD. However, at the same time, results reveal a sense of non-competence of teachers in providing educational and behavioural support to students with ASD. Teachers who had ASD training and who felt competent to work with children with ASD had significantly more favourable attitudes than teachers without such training and without a sense of teaching competence. Gender, age, and education level had no significant effect on the teachers’ attitudes. Results of this study clearly indicate the need for additional teacher training regarding the education of children with ASD.

KEYWORDS:

• Inclusive education
• autism spectrum disorder
• general education teachers
• Bosnia and Herzegovina

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank all the teachers who took part in this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Haris Memisevic

Haris Memisevic is an associate professor at the Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Sarajevo. He teaches classes in inclusive and special education to the prospective regular education teachers and special education teachers. His areas of research are in the field of special and inclusive education, developmental psychology, and neuropsychology.

Alma Dizdarevic

Alma Dizdarevic is a full professor of special education and rehabilitation at the Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Tuzla. Her research interests are in teaching methods for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Amila Mujezinovic

Amila Mujezinovic is an assistant lecturer of special education and rehabilitation at the Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Tuzla. Her research interests are in the area of inclusive and special education.

Mirjana Djordjevic

Mirjana Djordjevic is an associate professor at the Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Belgrade. Her research interests are in the area of child development and developmental disabilities.