Abstract:

This study, aimed at studying the knowledge and attitudes of pre-school teachers candidates to children with autism spectrum disorder, was carried out in a visual scan pattern. The research was carried out with 193 teachers candidates who continued to study in the third and last class of pre-school teaching.  In the study, "Otizm coating scale was used. The measurement tool consists of two parts, knowledge and attitude size. The section used in order to obtain information about autism spectrum disorders by the teacher candidates of the scale is classified according to the "right, wrong and unknown" categories. The attitude section concerning the coaching of autism children in the scale, while the attitude of the teacher candidates to participate in the indicated opinions, consists of seven degree likert type substances. In the study, the t-test statistical method for independent samples was used to determine whether the attitude and level of knowledge of the teacher candidates created a significant difference according to the characteristics of the candidates. Research findings have found that teachers’ attitudes towards children with autism spectrum disorder vary according to the status of learning about autism. There is no difference in the attitudes of teachers candidates according to the class level, the variables of working with autistic children and taking special education classes. In the study’s level of knowledge, the teacher’s candidate’s information on autism is generally not sufficient. The teaching candidates have been found to have false information in the information form, especially about six subjects.

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate the attitude and knowledge of the early childhood preservice teachers about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The study was designed as a descriptive study and conducted with 193 preservice teachers from third and fourth grade studying early childhood education. Autism Inclusion Questionnaire developed by Segall in 2008 was used to collect data in the study. The scale consists of two parts as knowledge and attitude dimensions. The part of the scale that was used to measure preservice teachers’ level of knowledge about children with ASD was rated according to the categories "true, false and I do not know". The attitude part in the scale is composed of seven point Likert items by expressing according to the participation of the preservice teacher in the opinions stated. Independent samples T-test was used to determine whether the attitudes and knowledge levels of the preservice teachers differed significantly from the characteristics of the preservice teachers. The results of the study showed that preservice teachers' attitudes towards children with ASD differed based on their background of taking education on autism. Results revealed that preservice teachers' attitudes did not differ in terms of the variables of class level, working with children with ASD, and getting special education course. When the knowledge level of the participants was examined, it was found that preservice teachers have not sufficient knowledge about autism generally.  It was found that preservice teachers have especially incorrect knowledge on six items on the knowledge scale.

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