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To identify target areas for professional development, this mixed-methods study examined general education teachers' perceptions of autism and pedagogical practices in early elementary classrooms in the United States. In focus groups, teachers (N = 18) identified terms they associated with autism and strategies they used for inclusion and relationship building. Participants systematically free-listed and ranked their responses to three prompts. Using ranked responses, saliency scores were calculated to assess the perceived importance and frequency of responses. Teachers' most salient perceptions of autism (e.g., social difficulties, focused/fixed interests) revealed an awareness of core symptoms. Salient inclusion practices included assigning special classroom responsibilities and showcasing student talents; salient relationship-building strategies included embracing students' special interests and engaging in one-on-one time. Implications for teacher trainings are discussed.

Classrooms can create barriers to young autistic students' social and behavioral success at school. Better quality student-teacher relationships (STRs) have been associated with improved student social and behavioral outcomes. When teachers use more positive response strategies (e.g., praise), they create more opportunities for positive interactions with students, likely developing closer STRs. The present study uses SEM to investigate a path by which teachers' use of positive response strategies is associated with closer STRs, which lead to improved social functioning and classroom engagement for N = 145 young autistic students (age 4–7 years). Factors contributing to teachers' reported frequency of using positive response strategies were also explored using multiple linear regression. The model was a close fit to the data (χ2 (18, N = 145) = 18.4, p =.43, TLI = 1.0, CFI = 1.0, RMSEA =.01). Teachers who reported using positive response strategies more frequently had significantly closer STRs, which were associated with lasting improvements in students' social functioning and engagement in the classroom. Positive response strategies that teachers reported using most frequently were praise, positive comments, and incentives. Teachers' perceived usefulness of positive response strategies and regular trainings in autism were significantly associated with frequency of positive response strategy use. Positive, supportive classrooms in which teachers utilized more positive response strategies and developed closer STRs were associated with young autistic students' academic engagement and social functioning. Regular autism trainings and perceived usefulness of positive response strategies emerged as significant factors for teachers' use of strategies. • Teachers' use of positive response strategies was associated with closer STRs. • Closer STRs promoted better academic engagement and social functioning. • Perceived usefulness and autism training were associated with positive support use. • Positive classroom supports and STRs help autistic students engage and integrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student academic behavioral engagement (BE) contributes to learning and school success. Student-teacher relationships (STRs) may promote BE, although previous findings regarding how these constructs are associated over time are mixed. For young autistic students who face barriers to early school success, a high-quality STR may serve as a key protective factor to promote classroom engagement. The present study investigated connections between teacher-rated STR quality and student BE over two school years for 146 young autistic children (grade PK-2) using cross-lagged structural equation modeling. A full model with cross-lagged paths from BE to STR quality and from STR quality to BE was first examined. Potential confounding variables (i.e., externalizing behaviors, cognitive skills, and language skills) were included. The model was then trimmed by removing all non-significant paths. It was hypothesized that the final model would highlight the unidirectional influence of STR quality on BE. Results supported the unidirectional influence of STR quality on BE across one school year. STR quality at the beginning of the first school year predicted behavioral engagement at the end of the year (β =.26, p <.01) BE outcomes persisted into the following school year (β =.45, p <.001). Findings suggest that STR quality significantly contributes to engagement for young autistic students, potentially serving as a critical protective factor for classroom success. This highlights the importance of developing quality STRs with high levels of closeness and low levels of conflict for students on the spectrum in early schooling. • Student-teacher relationships (STRs) drive engagement for young autistic students. • Better STRs led to greater levels of behavioral engagement across one school year. • High-quality STRs may buffer autistic students' risk for lower levels of engagement. • Teachers should prioritize developing quality STRs with young autistic students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early elementary students on the autism spectrum are at risk for poor quality student-teacher relationships (STRs), a key contributor to student outcomes. However, these students' own appraisals of their STRs are nearly absent from the literature. This study examined children's perspectives of STRs and agreement with teacher-reported STRs for a sample of young autistic students (N = 136; 5–9 years). Although a majority of students responded affirmatively to items reflecting positive perceptions of STRs (e.g., 80.7% reported liking their teacher, 75.0% reported being liked by their teacher), results also revealed that some students perceived negative STR experiences (e.g., 14.7% reported that they get angry with their teacher, 17.6% reported that they get in trouble a lot). Student and teachers' scores were not significantly correlated, suggesting that students and teachers may have unique perspectives on specific aspects of their relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]