Social Issues Surrounding The Adolescent With Asperger Syndrome: Perceptions Of Parents And Teachers
Date of Award
12-26-2007
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Teaching & Learning
First Advisor
Lynne Chalmers
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions and experiences of parents and teachers regarding the social issues that adolescents with Asperger Syndrome (AS) encounter during their junior high school experience. This study provided insight into how the adolescent with AS is surviving socially and academically in the junior high world. This qualitative study utilized methods related to a phenomenological approach. The data was gathered through participant interviews, classroom observations and related literature review. Three research questions guided this study. The first question addressed how the adolescent with AS is socially surviving the junior high world. The second question focused on the strategies of teaching that the parents and teachers are utilizing in helping the adolescent with AS with their social difficulties. The final question explored the balancing of social and academic development necessary for the adolescent with AS to succeed as a whole person. The participants in this study included three parents of adolescents with AS and three regular education teachers of the same students with AS. In addition, three classroom observations were conducted. Based on the outcomes of this study, four themes and one overall essence of the phenomenon were developed and summarized. Parents and teachers perceived that the adolescent with AS is surviving socially in the junior high world. This statement was supported through four themes as summarized below. (1) Peers do include peers with AS, but do not necessarily include them in the social group. (2) The adolescent with AS appears to be content with self. (3) Like their typical peers, adolescents with AS mature socially during the school year. (4) Similar social teaching strategies are used by parents and teachers. Recommendations were made for parents and teachers involved in working with adolescents with AS. In addition, recommendations for further research were made.
Recommended Citation
LaPlante, Elaine R., "Social Issues Surrounding The Adolescent With Asperger Syndrome: Perceptions Of Parents And Teachers" (2007). Theses and Dissertations. 8001.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/8001