Understanding teachers' responses to anxiety in children with autism at elementary schools and preschools

Abstract

A total of 40% of children with ASD have clinical symptoms of anxiety. However, there is little research on how teachers respond to this type of behaviour in the classroom. This study aimed to compare teachers' responses towards the anxiety of students with ASD and to explore the relationship between these responses and their ASD awareness and emotional regulation strategies. A quantitative study was conducted using a non-probabilistic sample of 139 Cuban teachers from primary schools and preschools. The results indicate that teachers responses towards the anxiety of students with ASD vary in relation to age, experience in inclusive schools, specific training on educating students with ASD and teaching stage, as well as the type of anxiety. The findings also revealed that emotional regulation and knowledge about ASD had a significant impact on teachers' responses. Practical implications and future lines of research are discussed.