Perceptions of autism, culture, and personhood from parents of children with autism and from colleagues delivering services to children with autism

Values, attitudes, and beliefs regarding disabilities vary across cultures and within cultures and these factors have an impact on the perspectives of the child’s parents and prioritizing their needs. Although Korea was greatly influenced by Western countries in special education, it has a relatively short history compared with other developed countries. Research found that autism is highly stigmatized in Korea and due to negative attitudes toward people with disabilities, many families and students with disabilities prefer not to be identified as having a disability and sadly they believe that to get educational benefits, they should be educated in special schools with students with similar disabilities. This study will investigate and gather qualitative data on the perceptions of autism, culture, and personhood from parents of children with autism and from special education teachers delivering services to children with autism. Specifically this research looks at the pressing need for continuing to expand autism research and how this research specifically intersects Korean and Korean-Canadian families.

Faculty Supervisor:

Robert Williamson

Student:

Partner:

Ewha Womans University

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education; Information and Communications Technology; Other

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: