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Mothers’ Perspectives on the Inclusion of Young Autistic Children in Kuwait

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Abstract

There is a lack of information on early childhood inclusive education and the parental perspectives towards the inclusion of autistic children in Kuwait. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives and experiences amongst mothers of young autistic children regarding the inclusion of their children in general education kindergarten settings. Focus group and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with (n = 34) Kuwaiti mothers of children with (ASD). The study participants were of the opinion that the behaviours unique to (ASD) can only be managed in highly structured special education settings. The themes that emerged from the interviews demonstrate that the general view amongst the study participants is that the inclusive educational model will not meet the autistic children’s needs.

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Acknowledgments

This work is generated from work developed for a doctoral dissertation.

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  1. School of Education, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK

    Raghad Mutabbakani & Carol Callinan

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  1. Raghad Mutabbakani
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  2. Carol Callinan
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RM is the main author who has been involved in all aspects of the creation of the work including research, design, analysis, and final presentation of the work. CC was the supervisor of my thesis who provided only general support.

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Correspondence to Raghad Mutabbakani.

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Mutabbakani, R., Callinan, C. Mothers’ Perspectives on the Inclusion of Young Autistic Children in Kuwait. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 1198–1209 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04351-z

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