‘Fire Fighting’ or ‘Fire Lighting’? A Critical Evaluation of the Inclusion of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders attending Mainstream International Primary Schools in Dubai
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Date
2008-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The British University in Dubai (BUiD)
Abstract
This study aims to investigate and critically evaluate the current status of inclusion for pupils with ASDs within the mainstream international primary sector in Dubai, UAE, and determine whether this might be more appropriately termed ‘fire fighting’ or ‘fire lighting’ (MacLeod 2006). A number of data collection methods were employed, over three stages, to carry out the project: e-questionnaires (stage 1), interviews and observations (stage 2) and documental analysis and social network questionnaires (stage 3). The findings of the study isolate a number of promising incidences of ‘fire lighting’ which given the right circumstances could ignite and develop over time. However, the study concludes that at present the inclusion of pupils with ASDs within the mainstream international primary sector is still in the early stages of development and that overall the situation would be most appropriately termed ‘fire fighting’.
Description
DISSERTATION WITH DISTINCTION
Keywords
inclusion, children, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)