The Organization of Inclusive Supports: A Look from Practice

Abstract

One of the groups that is currently benefiting from a more inclusive educational response in Spain is students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This fact has allowed them to enjoy schooling in ordinary centers, like their peers and, at the same time, to receive a highly adapted educational response in which the work of specialized support has a very relevant weight. This article analyzes the role of specialized support in educational centers from an applied perspective, but without forgetting the importance of decisions regarding educational policies as facilitators of this process. The questions presented are the result of an investigation carried out through the study of multiple cases. Qualitative information collection techniques have been used, among which documentary analysis, observations and interviews stand out, and also of a quantitative nature, through the application of 2014 questionnaires constructed ad-hoc to the members of the educational community. Although the data presented is limited to the Early Childhood Education stage and initially to students with ASD, we understand that, knowing how the centers organize specialized supports from an inclusive perspective, can help other centers move forward in the unfinished process of inclusive education.