The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences and meanings of mothers of young children with autism spectrum disorder through the process of accessing the kindergarten curriculum of special education. For this, an in-depth interview was cond...
The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences and meanings of mothers of young children with autism spectrum disorder through the process of accessing the kindergarten curriculum of special education. For this, an in-depth interview was conducted by selecting six mothers who lived in A city and had children diagnosed with autism, and who had participated in special education in kindergarten attached to elementary school. As a result of analyzing the data, four themes were derived: "Diagnosis of disabilities like a Maze", "Experience at First child-care institution in life", "Difficult encounter with Special education", and "Demand for a Better future".
The conclusions based on the research results and discussions are as follows;
First, the study participants experienced a lack of hospital information, a difficult diagnosis name, and psychological difficulties due to a child's disability in the process of diagnosing children's disabilities, and showed trial and error due to a separate system of diagnosis-treatment-education and economic difficulties. Therefore, concrete support measures such as providing diagnostic information at the national or local government level, establishing a linkage system for diagnosis- treatment-education, and preparing emotional and economic support measures for parents are needed.
Second, the study participants had been discharged from the child-care institution due to their children's disabilities, and were feeling contraction and alienation in the process of exploring new institutions. It is necessary to find practical measures to provide special education and early detection information on disabilities to daycare centers and kindergarten teachers so that they can play a role in early identification, referral, and parent counseling.
Third, in order to increase accessibility to the kindergarten curriculum in special education, a stable special education delivery system should be established by establishing of an effective linkage system of related ministries for the use of infant health examination results, strengthening public relations of role and function of special education support centers, establishing a participant-centered selection system including diagnostic evaluation and counseling processes, deploying and recruiting special early childhood teachers in the center, appointing educational professionals of the kindergarten curriculum in special education for expanding expertise.
Fourth, the study participants expected that the system would be improved to reduce confusion among parents of the next generation and to change the education of children with disabilities from access to a guaranteed system. For this, it is required to establish a one-stop support system from diagnosis to education, an active information support plan at the national level, a strengthened public relations system using institutions with high accessibility for children with disabilities, and an transdisciplinary approach diagnosis system.
This study proposes measures to increase the accessibility of the kindergarten curriculum in special education based on the experience of mothers of children with autism. Through various support measures, parents of children with disabilities can smoothly participate in special education, so that special education in kindergarten curriculum can establish its role and meaning as compulsory education.