Empowering multilingualism in children with autism: Insights from parents and EFL teachers

Introduction. In today's globalized world, the ability to use and understand more than one language, known as multilingualism, has become increasingly prevalent. Studies have demonstrated that children raised in multilingual environments can gain cognitive advantages, including improved problem...

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Main Authors: Mohamed Amr M., Shaaban Tahany S., Jmaiel Hassen Alazhar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Univerzitet u Beogradu - Fakultet za specijalnu edukaciju i rehabilitaciju 2024-01-01
Series:Specijalna Edukacija i Rehabilitacija
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Online Access:https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1452-7367/2024/1452-73672404341M.pdf
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author Mohamed Amr M.
Shaaban Tahany S.
Jmaiel Hassen Alazhar
author_facet Mohamed Amr M.
Shaaban Tahany S.
Jmaiel Hassen Alazhar
author_sort Mohamed Amr M.
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. In today's globalized world, the ability to use and understand more than one language, known as multilingualism, has become increasingly prevalent. Studies have demonstrated that children raised in multilingual environments can gain cognitive advantages, including improved problem-solving abilities, creativity, and cognitive flexibility. Objectives. This study aimed to explore the methods used by parents and teachers when teaching English as a Foreign language (EFL) to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as the difficulties they face in this endeavor. Methods. The research methodology involved conducting interviews with a total of 14 participants, including parents and teachers of children with ASD. Results. The study showed that incorporating visual AIDS, repetition, and modeling into EFL instruction had positive outcomes for children with ASD. These strategies resulted in enhanced social skills and language abilities. Teachers faced challenges in creating effective teaching methods for children with ASD, yet they also recognized the impressive ability of these children to learn new languages. In addition, the study highlighted the significance of parents and teachers working together to create language learning programs that are effective for children with ASD. Conclusion. Additional research is necessary to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the difficulties that teachers encounter when instructing children with ASD in EFL. In order to further advance our understanding, it would be beneficial for future research to concentrate on developing and assessing inclusive language learning programs that cater to the specific requirements of children with ASD.
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spelling doaj-art-28b9264a686e44b68cc8d6af879bdc6c2024-12-02T12:57:57ZengUniverzitet u Beogradu - Fakultet za specijalnu edukaciju i rehabilitacijuSpecijalna Edukacija i Rehabilitacija1452-73672406-13282024-01-0123434136010.5937/specedreh23-455031452-73672404341MEmpowering multilingualism in children with autism: Insights from parents and EFL teachersMohamed Amr M.0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3891-963XShaaban Tahany S.1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8326-0243Jmaiel Hassen Alazhar2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4603-9456North Private College of Nursing, Arar, Saudi ArabiaNorthern Border University, The Applied College, Arar, Saudi ArabiaNorthern Border University, The Applied College, Arar, Saudi ArabiaIntroduction. In today's globalized world, the ability to use and understand more than one language, known as multilingualism, has become increasingly prevalent. Studies have demonstrated that children raised in multilingual environments can gain cognitive advantages, including improved problem-solving abilities, creativity, and cognitive flexibility. Objectives. This study aimed to explore the methods used by parents and teachers when teaching English as a Foreign language (EFL) to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as the difficulties they face in this endeavor. Methods. The research methodology involved conducting interviews with a total of 14 participants, including parents and teachers of children with ASD. Results. The study showed that incorporating visual AIDS, repetition, and modeling into EFL instruction had positive outcomes for children with ASD. These strategies resulted in enhanced social skills and language abilities. Teachers faced challenges in creating effective teaching methods for children with ASD, yet they also recognized the impressive ability of these children to learn new languages. In addition, the study highlighted the significance of parents and teachers working together to create language learning programs that are effective for children with ASD. Conclusion. Additional research is necessary to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the difficulties that teachers encounter when instructing children with ASD in EFL. In order to further advance our understanding, it would be beneficial for future research to concentrate on developing and assessing inclusive language learning programs that cater to the specific requirements of children with ASD.https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1452-7367/2024/1452-73672404341M.pdfmultilingualismautism spectrum disorderperspectivesenglish as a foreign languagequalitative research
spellingShingle Mohamed Amr M.
Shaaban Tahany S.
Jmaiel Hassen Alazhar
Empowering multilingualism in children with autism: Insights from parents and EFL teachers
Specijalna Edukacija i Rehabilitacija
multilingualism
autism spectrum disorder
perspectives
english as a foreign language
qualitative research
title Empowering multilingualism in children with autism: Insights from parents and EFL teachers
title_full Empowering multilingualism in children with autism: Insights from parents and EFL teachers
title_fullStr Empowering multilingualism in children with autism: Insights from parents and EFL teachers
title_full_unstemmed Empowering multilingualism in children with autism: Insights from parents and EFL teachers
title_short Empowering multilingualism in children with autism: Insights from parents and EFL teachers
title_sort empowering multilingualism in children with autism insights from parents and efl teachers
topic multilingualism
autism spectrum disorder
perspectives
english as a foreign language
qualitative research
url https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1452-7367/2024/1452-73672404341M.pdf
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