Exploring Preservice Teachers’ Attitudes toward Inclusive Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Exploring Preservice Teachers’ Attitudes toward Inclusive Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Authors: Özergun-Köse, Ilgım1 ilgim.ozergun@comu.edu.tr, İmer-Çetin, Nagihan2 nagihanimer@comu.edu.tr
Source: International Journal of Special Education. 2026 Special Issue, Vol. 41, p342-353. 12p.
Subject Terms: *Inclusive education, *Autism spectrum disorders, *Student teachers, *Empathy, *Teacher education, Self-efficacy, Social attitudes
Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine preservice teachers’ attitudes toward inclusive education for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 244 preservice teachers from various departments participated in this research. Data were gathered using a multi-dimensional attitude scale and analyzed through descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and one-way ANOVA. The findings show that preservice teachers generally maintain a positive and supportive attitude toward ASD inclusion. Among the subdimensions, sensitivity received the highest scores, followed by education & training and professional self-efficacy. Statistical analysis indicated that, although gender did not significantly affect attitudes, factors such as prior professional experience, high levels of knowledge, and taking courses related to ASD significantly increased professional self-efficacy. Additionally, departmental differences were noted; students in special education and psychological counseling demonstrated higher sensitivity and professional self-efficacy compared to students in other programs. Interestingly, first-year students showed higher sensitivity than seniors, possibly reflecting an initial idealistic outlook. In conclusion, while preservice teachers are emotionally prepared and somewhat confident, teacher education programs should emphasize practical experience and evidence-based teaching strategies to bridge the remaining gap between sensitivity and professional self-efficacy in inclusive ASD education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Special Education is the property of International Journal of Special Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: ehh
DbLabel: Education Research Complete
An: 194880264
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Exploring Preservice Teachers’ Attitudes toward Inclusive Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Özergun-Köse%2C+Ilgım%22">Özergun-Köse, Ilgım</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> ilgim.ozergun@comu.edu.tr</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22İmer-Çetin%2C+Nagihan%22">İmer-Çetin, Nagihan</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><i> nagihanimer@comu.edu.tr</i>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Special+Education%22">International Journal of Special Education</searchLink>. 2026 Special Issue, Vol. 41, p342-353. 12p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subject Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusive+education%22">Inclusive education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Autism+spectrum+disorders%22">Autism spectrum disorders</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+teachers%22">Student teachers</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Empathy%22">Empathy</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+education%22">Teacher education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self-efficacy%22">Self-efficacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+attitudes%22">Social attitudes</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The aim of this study is to examine preservice teachers’ attitudes toward inclusive education for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 244 preservice teachers from various departments participated in this research. Data were gathered using a multi-dimensional attitude scale and analyzed through descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and one-way ANOVA. The findings show that preservice teachers generally maintain a positive and supportive attitude toward ASD inclusion. Among the subdimensions, sensitivity received the highest scores, followed by education & training and professional self-efficacy. Statistical analysis indicated that, although gender did not significantly affect attitudes, factors such as prior professional experience, high levels of knowledge, and taking courses related to ASD significantly increased professional self-efficacy. Additionally, departmental differences were noted; students in special education and psychological counseling demonstrated higher sensitivity and professional self-efficacy compared to students in other programs. Interestingly, first-year students showed higher sensitivity than seniors, possibly reflecting an initial idealistic outlook. In conclusion, while preservice teachers are emotionally prepared and somewhat confident, teacher education programs should emphasize practical experience and evidence-based teaching strategies to bridge the remaining gap between sensitivity and professional self-efficacy in inclusive ASD education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Special Education is the property of International Journal of Special Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=194880264
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 12
        StartPage: 342
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Inclusive education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Autism spectrum disorders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Empathy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self-efficacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social attitudes
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Exploring Preservice Teachers’ Attitudes toward Inclusive Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Özergun-Köse, Ilgım
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: İmer-Çetin, Nagihan
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 03
              M: 01
              Text: 2026 Special Issue
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 08273383
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 41
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: International Journal of Special Education
              Type: main
ResultId 1