Polish Teachers’ Opinions on the Distance Learning of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The pandemic COVID -19 necessitated the introduction of distance learning in many countries, including Poland. For teachers and students, this meant a major change and a number of challenges (both technical and psychological) that they had to face. Students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their teachers are concerned. The aim of the present study was to find out the opinions of teachers about teaching children with ASD during the COVID -19 pandemic. The study was conducted at a time when the situation in Poland was very bad due to the epidemic and distance education was introduced. The survey involved 276 teachers, 144 of whom worked daily with a student with autism spectrum disorders and 132 of whom had no such experience. The results showed that teachers working with students with autism spectrum disorders were more likely to feel annoyed during the pandemic, less engaged in their work and less likely to help others. Although teachers saw the benefits of distance learning, most felt that students with autism spectrum disorders did better in traditional schools.