How Are Schools Doing? Parental Perceptions of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders,Down Syndrome and Learning Disabilities: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Parents of 209 children (162 males and 46 females) with autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome or learning disabilities ranging in age from 4 to 21 years were surveyed about their perceptions of the education of their children. Items on the survey were categorized into 7 areas: school personnel's knowledge about the disability, best practices, behavioural concerns, parent/school collaboration, education team, individual education plan, and miscellaneous other items. Group differences were observed on a number of items and in almost every case parents in the learning disabilities group rated the items significantly lower than one or more of the other groups. In addition, numerous items were paired such that parents were asked to rate if a certain educational “best practice” was being utilized with their child and if they felt their child required it. Examination of the paired items indicated many significant differences between what parents felt was being offered their child, and what their child needed to achieve their maximum potential across diagnostic groups. The implications of these and other results are discussed.