About

ASDinPreschool project aims to address the challenges of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in early childhood education and care (ECEC), with a focus on early detection, intervention, and inclusive educational environments.

Motivated by the need for timely diagnosis and support for children with ASD, the project emphasizes the critical impact that early intervention can have on developmental outcomes, while also aiming to reduce the societal and familial costs associated with delayed diagnosis. By creating specialized training program for educators and providing resources for parents, the project seeks to improve ASD identification and intervention, ensuring a cohesive approach across both educational and home settings.

Key objectives of the project include the

development of evidence-based training for ECECprofessionals,
the creation of practical intervention strategies, and
the integration of inclusive practices in preschool environments.

Additionally, the project will focus on empowering parents through education and support, enabling them to actively participate in their child’s developmental journey.

Specific Objectives

Identifying Early Signs of Autism (ASD)

The project will conduct an analysis of current research and case studies to identify the most prominent early indicators of autism to better equip early childhood professionals with precise, evidence-based tools for early detection.

Specialized Training for Early Childhood Professionals

A training program will be developed to empower early childhood educators and caregivers with age appropriate, feasible, realistic and implementable early intervention strategies to support children with ASD.

Practical Early Intervention Strategies

ASDin Preschool will design an adaptable set of early intervention strategies tailored to preschool settings. These strategies will emphasize feasibility, age-appropriateness, and alignment with best practices in child development.

Parental Involvement for Inclusive Education

ASDinPreschool will establish a structured system, to engage parents in both identification and intervention efforts.

Advocating for Policy Integration

To ensure the long-term impact of the project, advocacy efforts will focus on embedding the developed findings and methodologies into policy frameworks.

Outputs

Co-Designed Methodology

A collaboration between educators and ASD experts will develop a framework to guide the creation of the educators’ curriculum.

Specialized Curriculum for Educators

A tailored curriculum designed specifically for Early Childhood Education and Care professionals, focused on enhancing their capacity to address ASD in preschool settings.

Educators’ Guide

A practical guide filled with intervention techniques that educators can use in the classroom. This resource complements the specialized curriculum, offering actionable strategies.

Parents’ Guide

A comprehensive guide for parents to continue applying classroom intervention techniques at home, fostering consistent and holistic support for children.

Intervention Toolbox

A versatile set of materials, including board games, flashcards, and other tools, to support interventions both in the classroom and at home.

Replication Roadmap

A detailed guide to facilitate the replication and scalability of the project in different contexts and settings.

Methodology

The project employs a co-design methodology that brings together educators, ASD experts, and stakeholders in a collaborative process to ensure the tools and strategies developed are both practical and evidence-based. Through structured workshops, focus groups, and piloting, participants share insights and experiences that directly inform the design process. This participatory approach emphasizes continuous feedback and refinement, ensuring the solutions address real-world challenges faced by early childhood professionals while fostering a shared ownership and commitment to improving ASD interventions in preschool settings. Additionally, adaptability and cultural sensitivity are taken into account so solutions can be applicable across a variety of educational and family contexts.