Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-21T23:54:25.577Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

School Experiences of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Within the Context of Student Wellbeing: A Review and Analysis of the Literature*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2016

Joanne Danker*
Affiliation:
UNSW, Australia
Iva Strnadová
Affiliation:
UNSW, Australia
Therese M. Cumming
Affiliation:
UNSW, Australia
*
Correspondence: Joanne Danker, School of Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

There has been an increasing body of research on student wellbeing in recent years. Despite this, there is much debate on the notion of student wellbeing, along with a lack of studies focusing on the wellbeing of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 12 studies on the wellbeing of typically developing students were used to identify the domains that comprise student wellbeing. Four studies on the school experiences of students with ASD were also included to investigate how the school experiences of students with ASD relate to the domains of student wellbeing. These articles were located through electronic and hand searches. Eight domains of student wellbeing were identified, along with 8 themes derived from the school experiences of students with ASD. Results support several recommendations for schools to promote the development of the domains of student wellbeing for students with ASD.

Type
Literature Review
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

*

This manuscript was accepted under the Editorship of Michael Arthur-Kelly.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.Google Scholar
Appleton, J. J., Christenson, S. L., & Furlong, M. J. (2008). Student engagement with school: Critical conceptual and methodological issues of the construct. Psychology in the Schools, 45, 369386. doi:10.1002/pits.20303Google Scholar
Ashburner, J., Ziviani, J., & Rodger, S. (2010). Surviving in the mainstream: Capacity of children with autism spectrum disorders to perform academically and regulate their emotions and behavior at school. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4, 1827. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2009.07.002Google Scholar
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011). Autism in Australia, 2009 (Cat. No. 4428.0). Canberra: Author.Google Scholar
Ben-Arieh, A., Casas, F., Frønes, I., & Korbin, J. E. (2014). Multifaceted concept of child well-being. In Ben-Arieh, A., Casas, F., Frønes, I., & Korbin, J. E. (Eds.), Handbook of child well-being: Theories, methods and policies in global perspective (pp. 127). Dordrecht, the Netherlands: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-90-481-9063-8_134Google Scholar
Blacher, J., Howell, E., Lauderdale-Littin, S., DiGennaro Reed, F. D., & Laugeson, E. A. (2014). Autism spectrum disorder and the student teacher relationship: A comparison study with peers with intellectual disability and typical development. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8, 324333. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2013.12.008Google Scholar
Brewin, B. J., Renwick, R., & Fudge Schormans, A. F. (2008). Parental perspectives of the quality of life in school environments for children with Asperger syndrome. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 23, 242252. doi:10.1177/1088357608322997CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carpenter, L. (2013). DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder: Guidelines and criteria exemplars. Retrieved May 28, 2014, from http://depts.washington.edu/dbpeds/Screening%20Tools/DSM-5(ASD.Guidelines)Feb2013.pdfGoogle Scholar
Carter, E. W., Common, E. A., Sreckovic, M. A., Huber, H. B., Bottema-Beutel, K., Gustafson, J. R., . . . Hume, K. (2014). Promoting social competence and peer relationships for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Remedial and Special Education, 35, 91101. doi:10.1177/0741932513514618Google Scholar
Chiang, H.-M., Cheung, Y. K., Hickson, L., Xiang, R., & Tsai, L. Y. (2012). Predictive factors of participation in postsecondary education for high school leavers with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 685696. doi:10.1007/s10803-011-1297-7Google Scholar
De Fraine, B., Van Landeghem, G., Van Damme, J., & Onghena, P. (2005). An analysis of wellbeing in secondary school with multilevel growth curve models and multilevel multivariate models. Quality & Quantity, 39, 297316. doi:10.1007/s11135-004-5010-1Google Scholar
Diener, E. (2009). Subjective well-being. In Diener, E. (Ed.), The science of well-being: The collected works of Ed Diener (Social indicators research series, Vol. 37, pp. 1158). New York, NY: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-90-481-2350-6_2CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Engels, N., Aelterman, A., Van Petegem, K., & Schepens, A. (2004). Factors which influence the well-being of pupils in Flemish secondary schools. Educational Studies, 30, 127143. doi:10.1080/0305569032000159787CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Falkmer, M., Oehlers, K., Granlund, M., & Falkmer, T. (2015). Can you see it too? Observed and self-rated participation in mainstream schools in students with and without autism spectrum disorders. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 18, 365374. doi:10.3109/17518423.2013.850751Google Scholar
Field, A. (2009). Discovering statistics using SPSS (3rd ed.). London, UK: Sage.Google Scholar
Foley, K.-R., Blackmore, A. M., Girdler, S., O'Donnell, M., Glauert, R., Llewellyn, G., & Leonard, H. (2012). To feel belonged: The voices of children and youth with disabilities on the meaning of wellbeing. Child Indicators Research, 5, 375391. doi:10.1007/s12187-011-9134-2Google Scholar
Foreman, P., & Arthur-Kelly, M. (Eds.). (2014). Inclusion in action (4th ed.). South Melbourne: Cengage Learning Australia.Google Scholar
Fraillon, J. (2004). Measuring student well-being in the context of Australian schooling: Discussion paper. Carlton South, Australia: Curriculum Corporation.Google Scholar
Hair, J. F. Jr., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis: A global perspective (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.Google Scholar
Hart, J. E., & Whalon, K. J. (2011). Creating social opportunities for students with autism spectrum disorder in inclusive settings. Intervention in School and Clinic, 46, 273279. doi:10.1177/1053451210395382Google Scholar
Hascher, T. (2003). Well-being in school: Why students need social support. In Mayring, P. & von Rhoeneck, C. (Eds.), Learning emotions: The influence of affective factors on classroom learning (pp. 127142). Frankfurt, NY: Lang.Google Scholar
Hascher, T. (2008). Quantitative and qualitative research approaches to assess student well-being. International Journal of Educational Research, 47, 8496. doi:10.1016/j.ijer.2007.11.016Google Scholar
Hebron, J., & Humphrey, N. (2014). Mental health difficulties among young people on the autistic spectrum in mainstream secondary schools: A comparative study. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 14, 2232. doi:10.1111/j.1471-3802.2012.01246.xGoogle Scholar
Henderson, L. W., & Knight, T. (2012). Integrating the hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives to more comprehensively understand wellbeing and pathways to wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 2, 196221. doi:10.5502/ijw.v2i3.3Google Scholar
Huebner, E. S., Hills, K. J., Jiang, X., Long, R. F., Kelly, R., & Lyons, M. D. (2014). Schooling and children's subjective well-being. In Ben-Arieh, A., Casas, F., Frønes, I., & Korbin, J. E. (Eds.), Handbook of child well-being: Theories, methods and policies in global perspective (pp. 797819). Dordrecht, the Netherlands: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-90-481-9063-8_26Google Scholar
Humphrey, N., & Lewis, S. (2008). ‘Make me normal’: The views and experiences of pupils on the autistic spectrum in mainstream secondary schools. Autism, 12, 2346. doi:10.1177/1362361307085267Google Scholar
Karin, H., Ellen, V. A., Evelien, C., Mieke, H., & Katja, P. (2012). Don't pull me out!? Preliminary findings of a systematic review of qualitative evidence on experiences of pupils with special educational needs in inclusive education. Procedia: Social and Behavioral Sciences, 69, 17091713. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.12.118Google Scholar
Keen, D., Webster, A., & Ridley, G. (2015). How well are children with autism spectrum disorder doing academically at school? An overview of the literature. Autism. Advance online publication. doi:10.1177/1362361315580962Google ScholarPubMed
Kern, M. L., Waters, L. E., Adler, A., & White, M. A. (2015). A multidimensional approach to measuring well-being in students: Application of the PERMA framework. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10, 262271. doi:10.1080/17439760.2014.936962Google Scholar
Keyes, C. L. M., & Annas, J. (2009). Feeling good and functioning well: Distinctive concepts in ancient philosophy and contemporary science. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4, 197201. doi:10.1080/17439760902844228Google Scholar
Lee, B. J. (2014). Mapping domains and indicators of children's well-being. In Ben-Arieh, A., Casas, F., Frønes, I., & Korbin, J. E. (Eds.), Handbook of child well-being: Theories, methods and policies in global perspective (pp. 27972805). Dordrecht, the Netherlands: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-90-481-9063-8_137CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, H. C. W., Chan, S. L. P., Chung, O. K. J., & Chui, M. L. M. (2010). Relationships among mental health, self-esteem and physical health in Chinese adolescents: An exploratory study. Journal of Health Psychology, 15, 96106. doi:10.1177/1359105309342601Google Scholar
Lindsay, S., Proulx, M., Scott, H., & Thomson, N. (2014). Exploring teachers’ strategies for including children with autism spectrum disorder in mainstream classrooms. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 18, 101122. doi:10.1080/13603116.2012.758320Google Scholar
Lindsay, S., Proulx, M., Thomson, N., & Scott, H. (2013). Educators’ challenges of including children with autism spectrum disorder in mainstream classrooms. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 60, 347362. doi:10.1080/1034912X.2013.846470Google Scholar
Locke, J., Ishijima, E. H., Kasari, C., & London, N. (2010). Loneliness, friendship quality and the social networks of adolescents with high-functioning autism in an inclusive school setting. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 10, 7481. doi:10.1111/j.1471-3802.2010.01148.xGoogle Scholar
Mayes, S. D., Gorman, A. A., Hillwig-Garcia, J., & Syed, E. (2013). Suicide ideation and attempts in children with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 109119. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2012.07.009Google Scholar
McLellan, R., & Steward, S. (2015). Measuring children and young people's wellbeing in the school context. Cambridge Journal of Education, 45, 307332. doi:10.1080/0305764X.2014.889659Google Scholar
Miller, S., Connolly, P., & Maguire, L. K. (2013). Wellbeing, academic buoyancy and educational achievement in primary school students. International Journal of Educational Research, 62, 239248. doi:10.1016/j.ijer.2013.05.004Google Scholar
Moore, K. A., & Theokas, C. (2008). Conceptualizing a monitoring system for indicators in middle childhood. Child Indicators Research, 1, 109128. doi:10.1007/s12187-008-9011-9Google Scholar
Noble, T., & McGrath, H. (2014). Well-being and resilience in school settings. In Fava, G. A. & Ruini, C. (Eds.), Increasing psychological well-being in clinical and educational settings: Interventions and cultural contexts (pp. 135152). Dordrecht, the Netherlands: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-94-017-8669-0_9Google Scholar
Noble, T., McGrath, H., Wyatt, T., Carbines, R., & Robb, L. (2008). Scoping study into approaches to student wellbeing. Brisbane, Australia: Australian Catholic University and Erebus International.Google Scholar
Norrish, J. M., Williams, P., O'Connor, M., & Robinson, J. (2013). An applied framework for positive education. International Journal of Wellbeing, 3, 147161. doi:10.5502/ijw.v3i2.2Google Scholar
O'Hare, W. P., & Gutierrez, F. (2012). The use of domains in constructing a comprehensive composite index of child well-being. Child Indicators Research, 5, 609629. doi:10.1007/s12187-012-9138-6Google Scholar
Pietarinen, J., Soini, T., & Pyhältö, K. (2014). Students’ emotional and cognitive engagement as the determinants of well-being and achievement in school. International Journal of Educational Research, 67 (2014), 4051. doi:10.1016/j.ijer.2014.05.001CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Poon, K. K., Soon, S., Wong, M.-E., Kaur, S., Khaw, J., Ng, Z., & Tan, C. S. (2014). What is school like? Perspectives of Singaporean youth with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 18, 10691081. doi:10.1080/13603116.2012.693401CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Redman, S., Downie, M., Rennison, R., & Batten, A. (2009). Don't write me off: Make the system fair for people with autism. London, UK: The National Autistic Society.Google Scholar
Rowley, E., Chandler, S., Baird, G., Simonoff, E., Pickles, A., Loucas, T., & Charman, T. (2012). The experience of friendship, victimization and bullying in children with an autism spectrum disorder: Associations with child characteristics and school placement. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 11261134. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2012.03.004CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saggers, B. (2015). Student perceptions: Improving the educational experiences of high school students on the autism spectrum. Improving Schools, 18, 3545. doi:10.1177/1365480214566213CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saggers, B., Hwang, Y.-S., & Mercer, K. L. (2011). Your voice counts: Listening to the voice of high school students with autism spectrum disorder. Australasian Journal of Special Education, 35, 173190. doi:10.1375/ajse.35.2.173Google Scholar
Sciutto, M., Richwine, S., Mentrikoski, J., & Niedzwiecki, K. (2012). A qualitative analysis of the school experiences of students with Asperger syndrome. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 27, 177188. doi:10.1177/1088357612450511Google Scholar
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.Google Scholar
Sheldon, K. M., Abad, N., Ferguson, Y., Gunz, A., Houser-Marko, L., Nichols, C. P., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2010). Persistent pursuit of need-satisfying goals leads to increased happiness: A 6-month experimental longitudinal study. Motivation and Emotion, 34, 3948. doi:10.1007/s11031-009-9153-1Google Scholar
Simpson, R. L., Mundschenk, N. A., & Heflin, L. J. (2011). Issues, policies, and recommendations for improving the education of learners with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 22, 317. doi:10.1177/1044207310394850Google Scholar
Soto-Chodiman, R., Pooley, J. A., Cohen, L., & Taylor, M. F. (2012). Students with ASD in mainstream primary education settings: Teachers’ experiences in Western Australian classrooms. Australasian Journal of Special Education, 36, 97111. doi:10.1017/jse.2012.10Google Scholar
Soutter, A. K., O'Steen, B., & Gilmore, A. (2012). Students’ and teachers’ perspectives on wellbeing in a senior secondary environment. Journal of Student Wellbeing, 5, 3467.Google Scholar
Soutter, A. K., O'Steen, B., & Gilmore, A. (2014). The student well-being model: A conceptual framework for the development of student well-being indicators. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 19, 496520. doi:10.1080/02673843.2012.754362Google Scholar
Tian, L., Liu, B., Huang, S., & Huebner, E. S. (2013). Perceived social support and school well-being among Chinese early and middle adolescents: The mediational role of self-esteem. Social Indicators Research, 113, 9911008. doi:10.1007/s11205-012-0123-8Google Scholar
Tobin, M. C., Drager, K. D. R., & Richardson, L. F. (2014). A systematic review of social participation for adults with autism spectrum disorders: Support, social functioning, and quality of life. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8, 214229. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2013.12.002Google Scholar
UNESCO. (1994). The Salamanca statement and framework for action on special needs education: Access and equity. Paris, France: Author.Google Scholar
UNESCO Institute for Statistics. (2015). A growing number of children and adolescents are out of school as aid fails to meet the mark (Policy Paper 22/Fact Sheet 31). Montreal, Canada: Author.Google Scholar
United Nations. (1989). United Nations convention on the rights of the child. New York, NY: Author.Google Scholar
Upadyaya, K., & Salmela-Aro, K. (2013). Development of school engagement in association with academic success and well-being in varying social contexts: A review of empirical research. European Psychologist, 18, 136147. doi:10.1027/1016-9040/a000143Google Scholar
Van Petegem, K., Aelterman, A., Rosseel, Y., & Creemers, B. (2007). Student perception as moderator for student wellbeing. Social Indicators Research, 83, 447463. doi:10.1007/s11205-006-9055-5Google Scholar
Van Petegem, K., Aelterman, A., Van Keer, H., & Rosseel, Y. (2008). The influence of student characteristics and interpersonal teacher behaviour in the classroom on student's wellbeing. Social Indicators Research, 85, 279291. doi:10.1007/s11205-007-9093-7Google Scholar
Vittersø, J. (2004). Subjective well-being versus self-actualization: Using the flow-simplex to promote a conceptual clarification of subjective quality of life. Social Indicators Research, 65, 299331. doi:10.1023/B:SOCI.0000003910.26194.efCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yamaguchi, A. (2015). Influences of quality of life on health and well-being. Social Indicators Research, 123, 77102. doi: 10.1007/s11205-014-0738-zGoogle Scholar