Abstract:

The study provides an in-depth analysis of the conditions and preparedness of preschools and teachers for the mandatory pre-primary education of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Slovakia. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention for children with ASD and stresses that such early support can significantly improve their long-term social and cognitive development. The study highlights the legislative changes in 2021, which made one year of pre-primary education mandatory for all preschool children, including those with ASD. Since inclusive education was enshrined in legislation in September 2023 in Slovak Republic, it is even more important to provide children with appropriate support and create adequate opportunities for development. Therefore, it is necessary that are prepared to address all the needs of children with ASD. The research identifies key factors in the successful education of children with ASD and aims to assess the current preparedness of teachers to meet the unique needs of children with ASD. This includes assessing the effectiveness of existing teaching strategies, teachers' experience with children with special education needs and the level of training and support they need to provide high quality education to this group of children. Teachers should know how to develop communication, social and play skills, eliminate problem behavior in children with ASD, as well as communication with parents, etc. The study uses quantitative data collected from teachers and school management staff through a standardized questionnaire. The results indicate a consensus on the necessity and benefits of mandatory pre-primary education for children with ASD, but also highlight gaps in teachers' training. One of the key findings is that teachers in special preschools feel more prepared to educate children with ASD than teachers in mainstream preschools. This disparity suggests that more training is needed in mainstream preschools to ensure that all children with ASD receive the support they need. Overall, the study supports the critical role of well-prepared teachers in the effective education of children with ASD. It calls for continued research and policy adjustments to address the challenges identified and improve educational outcomes for children with ASD in Slovakia.

Keywords:

Autism Spectrum Disorder, mandatory preprimary education, inclusive education, preparedness of teachers.