Dear Parent or Guardian,
My name is Chen SHEN. I am a Masters student in Education from the Moray House of Education of the University of Edinburgh. My supervisor is Dr. Evelyn McGregor, who is a lecturerr with expertise in autism. I am running a survey of parents to find out the ways in which different educational backgrounds of young people with autism (mainstream and segregated education) prepare them to get involved in or be accepted by society.
Research on the socialization of young adults with autism is quite limited; in addition, there is little research comparing the young adults with autism’s acquisition of social skills and friendship in mainstream and segregated schools. However, a recent Canadian study surveyed parents about these topics in their children with disabilities; and some Scottish research explored perceived stigma, social comparison and future aspiration of young people with intellectual disabilities in mainstream and segregated schooling. This study combines some research aspects of these two research studies, to understand these issues in autism.
The survey aims first to find out about the experiences of social relationship of the young people with autism from mainstream and segregated schooling; second, about the preparation for work or future study; third, preparation towards independent living.
The questionnaire has 40 questions that explore these different factors with both fixed and open questions. If there is any question you do not wish to answer, you can leave it blank.
Your answers are confidential and will thus only be seen by the researcher and supervisor. Since the questionnaires are anonymous, completion of them is taken as consent. If you would like to ask questions before deciding to take part, please email me at the address provided.
Yours sincerely,
Chen SHEN
E-mail: [email protected]
11 Jul 2013, 11:49 am
