UCLA

Special education services provided students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia have been growing rapidly over the last two decades and teachers must be well-versed to address their students’ needs. However, studies examining aspects of these services are scarce. The current study aimed to assess knowledge about ASD, self-efficacy, the use of teaching and intervention practices, and the focus of teaching among teachers working with students with ASD in schools affiliated with the Ministry of Education. Data were collected using an online-survey with a small sample size (N=135). Results indicated that teachers demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge about ASD, and many teachers possessed faulty information related to the etiology, symptoms, or therapeutic approaches. Levels of self-efficacy varied among teachers and increased with professional development and being in an inclusive classroom. Teachers reported the use of a mixture of practices and the majority reported the use of at least one of the supported practices. While years of experience and being in an inclusive classroom increased the odds of reporting the use of at least one of the supported practices, self-efficacy lowered the odds of using such practices. Teachers reported focusing on multiple areas and the majority focused on language and communication, social skills, and academics on a daily basis. The degree of focus on different areas of teaching (daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or never) was associated with some students’ characteristics (i.e., communication level, and having at least one student who exhibited self-injurious, aggressive, or stereotypic and repetitive behaviors). Although limited by the method and the small sample, findings from the current study are timely and worthwhile as they help to direct the next questions in research.