Promoting the integration of a student with autism in the General School with Erasmus KA3 / e-twinning actions

Abstract

This paper investigates the dynamics of non-formal learning in the field of teacher preparation, for the acceptance and integration of people with autism in the General School. The main goal of the research is to identify appropriate practices for the formation of a fair attitude towards people with disabilities, with a focus on autism. The research questions posed were: (1) How can understanding autism be achieved i. by the group of teachers and students involved, and ii. by individuals in the environment in which they interact, and (2) How will understanding autism lead to the acceptance and integration of students with autism into the community? The research was carried out within the framework of the Erasmus KA3 / e-twinning program and was connected to the Curriculum through modules of the courses of Modern Greek Literature and Modern Greek Language. The pedagogical tool Targeted, Individual, Structured, Integrated Program for Special Educational Needs (TISIPfSEN) (Drosinou-Korea, 2017) played a primary role in the implementation of the program. The results reflected the reliability of the educational tool TISIPfSEN in enhancing the empathy of students of typical development and highlighted the potential which derives from the participation in non-formal education to form attitudes and behaviors with the ultimate goal of integrating students with autism in the General School.