Interdisciplinary Approach to Students on the Autism Spectrum in Inclusive Classrooms
April 20 ,2024
April 20 ,2024
On Wednesday, April 17th at 4:00 pm, the Education Committee of the Chilean-British Chamber of Commerce hosted its first webinar of the year titled “Interdisciplinary Approach to Students on the Autism Spectrum in Inclusive Classrooms.” The event featured Lyllian Turry, Country Manager of Cambridge Chile and President of the Education Committee, who welcomed attendees and introduced the webinar’s theme, focusing on the TEA Law (Autism Spectrum Disorder Law) and how to address it within the educational environment.
Lyllian Turry opened the webinar by highlighting the importance of addressing pending issues from 2023, such as the implementation of the TEA Law in classrooms. She also announced that throughout the year, the committee would focus on topics related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and that a bilingual international conference would be held in August to discuss these and other relevant topics. She then introduced Pamela Yáñez, a facilitator from Trewhelas Institute, who was responsible for presenting the main topic of the webinar.
Mike Spooner, a representative of the Trewhelas Institute, provided a brief introduction about the institute and its OTEC (Technical Training Organization), highlighting its extensive experience in inclusive education and its commitment to professional development and institutional well-being in various educational institutions across Chile.
Pamela Yáñez, a special education teacher with 35 years of experience in inclusion and an autism specialist, presented her interdisciplinary approach to supporting students on the autism spectrum in inclusive classrooms. The presentation covered several key aspects, including the importance of current legislation, inclusive strategies in the classroom, and the critical role of collaboration between education and health sectors.
Yáñez emphasized the importance of the new TEA Law, which promotes the inclusion of students with autism in the regular education system. She noted that despite having over 117,000 students with permanent special educational needs in Chile, there are still contextual barriers that hinder successful learning trajectories.
The TEA Law establishes protocols for emotional and behavioral regulation and stresses the need for alignment between education and health to facilitate early diagnosis and continuous support throughout the educational cycle. Pamela also mentioned the significance of several Chilean decrees and laws, such as Law 20.422 on equal opportunities and Law 20.845 on school inclusion, which reinforce non-discrimination and effective inclusion.
Yáñez introduced her approach, the “5 P’s of Inclusion”:
Pamela Yáñez highlighted the challenges educational institutions face in implementing effective inclusive practices. She stressed the importance of understanding that human diversity requires flexible pedagogical approaches and that barriers are not within individuals but rather within the educational context. She pointed out that the education system must be prepared to adapt its teaching methods and provide appropriate support for each student, regardless of their neurodivergence.
The speaker also emphasized the need for continuous training for educators and school staff, as well as the importance of involving families in the educational process to ensure a comprehensive approach that encompasses both school and home environments.
Pamela addressed several common myths about autism, such as the belief that all autistic individuals are the same or lack emotions. She stressed that every person on the autism spectrum is unique and that generalizations are harmful. She also highlighted the importance of challenging the misconception that autistic individuals are inherently dangerous or violent, suggesting that these ideas stem from a misinformed perspective on autistic behavior.
The presentation concluded by emphasizing the importance of the educational community and family support in creating an inclusive environment. Yáñez highlighted that inclusive schools not only benefit autistic students but also teach all students to value and respect diversity. Additionally, she underscored that effective inclusive education requires collaboration from all stakeholders involved, from educators to parents and health specialists.
During the Q&A session, participants raised concerns about implementing inclusive practices in different school settings, such as bilingual schools or specific activities like gym classes. Pamela provided detailed and practical answers, emphasizing the need to adapt school environments to the specific needs of each student.
The webinar concluded with thanks to Pamela Yáñez for her detailed and insightful presentation, and to Mike Spooner and Luis Bravo for their moderation and support. Lyllian Turry expressed gratitude to all attendees and reiterated the importance of continuing to work together to address the challenges of inclusion in education. The event was considered a success, providing valuable insights and practical strategies to improve inclusive education in Chile.
The Education Committee of the Chilean-British Chamber of Commerce will continue to organize activities and events to foster dialogue and collaboration on critical issues such as inclusive education and the use of advanced technologies, like artificial intelligence, in education. Participants were encouraged to stay informed about future events and opportunities for involvement.