Wheatley, Catherine (2018) Experiential Understandings of Diversity and Difference in Mainstream State Primary Schools. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
The education and management of children with diverse and different needs has been problematic in mainstream state primary schools. It is widely accepted that helping all children in need would improve success at school and contribute to an economically stronger and fairer society. Teaching and leadership staff from three geographically diverse state primary schools in metropolitan, regional, and rural areas, were interviewed to determine what issues are most relevant when dealing with diverse needs. Qualitative research methodology was used in this study and thematic analysis was employed to analyse interview transcripts. Initial analyses of transcripts have revealed that children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the associated anxieties they experience when attending school are major issues for educators and parents. This is reflected in the growing body of literature concerning the effects of anxiety on children with ASD. Other factors emerging from the data are the importance of relationships between home and school for the management and education of these children and how resources and perceptions compare across geographical regions, cultures, and gender. A major implication is the need for a review of pre-service training practices and professional development for teachers of children with ASD. Future directions for research would be expanding the interviews to include parents and students. This would create a better understanding of the challenges of managing ASD by the whole community.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Charlotte Brownlow |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Aug 2025 00:03 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Aug 2025 00:03 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ASD, primary schools, management strategies, difference/diversity, professional development |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52870 |
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