Establishing Content Validity of the Quality Indicators for Classrooms Serving Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders Instrument

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia E. Pearl ◽  
Eleazar Vasquez ◽  
Matthew T. Marino ◽  
Wilfred Wienke ◽  
Claire Donehower ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
School Administrators ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Observation Instrument ◽  
Students With Autism ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

The purpose of this study was to provide content validation for quality indicators included in an observation instrument developed to evaluate classrooms serving students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). A panel of 103 subject-matter experts consisting of a mixture of field personnel ( n = 64; 59 classroom teachers, five school administrators) and university faculty ( n = 39) provided feedback regarding construct validity. Results were analyzed using two approaches: a simple aggregation of responses in the form of averages, with an a priori threshold for the determination of what will be considered acceptable, and Lawshe’s Content Validity Ratio methodology. All items in the instrument were deemed to have demonstrated content validity as did the overall instrument. Based on the data from this study, the Quality Indicators for Classrooms Serving Students With ASD (QIASD) instrument can be considered to have demonstrated content validity.

Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Research Review for School Counselors

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 2156759X1501604
Author(s):  
Richard W. Auger
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
School Counselors ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Research Review ◽  
Social Deficits ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Social ◽  
Students With Autism ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

The number of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has risen significantly in recent years (CDC, 2012), and students with ASD present unique challenges to schools and school counselors. This article presents a synthesis of recent research literature related to ASD for the purpose of providing school counselors with assistance in understanding and addressing the needs of students with ASD. Specific areas of focus include the prevalence, developmental course, and defining characteristics of ASD, and research on the effectiveness of interventions for students with ASD. Students with ASD are at increased risk for a range of problems, including social deficits and limitations, anxiety, aggression, peer victimization, and underachievement (Ashburner, Ziviani, & Rodger, 2010). Interventions to address the social deficits of students with ASD have shown promise but also have been found to lack results that are generalizable and that persist over time (Schreiber, 2011). This article provides specific recommendations for school counselors.

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