Project KinAut
kindergarten & autism
The KinAut project investigates the barriers and conditions for the successful participation of children with autism in the day-to-day life of childcare centres. The aim is to develop materials that incorporate different perspectives and are both evidence-based and practical, with a view to promoting inclusive and autism-sensitive early years education. The materials developed will be trialled and evaluated in collaboration with childcare centres in Frankfurt.
The project investigates which factors facilitate or hinder the participation of autistic children in the day-to-day life of childcare centres. The focus is on the barriers that may arise from the organisation of daily life at the childcare centre, the physical and social environment, and educational practices. To obtain as comprehensive a picture as possible, the project draws on the experiences and perspectives of autistic children and adults, parents, educational staff and other experts. In addition, daily life in childcare centres is observed to ensure that the project’s findings remain firmly rooted in actually lived educational practice. From a professional perspective, the project is based on a social understanding of disability and draws on the neurodiversity paradigm.
Based on the research findings, KinAut is developing evidence-based materials that are also suitable for everyday use, designed to support educational professionals in identifying and breaking down barriers. These include a barrier checklist for the systematic identification of barriers in everyday kindergarten life, a practical guide containing information and specific suggestions, and a card game that can be used to discuss barriers with children. In addition, a video-based training programme is being developed to introduce the materials and their application. The resources developed are being trialled in collaboration with kindergartens and scientifically evaluated.
Funding
