Experiences of Students, Teachers, and Parents Participating in an Inclusive, School-Based Informal Engineering Education Program

Yu-Lun Chen; Kavitha Murthi; Wendy Martin; Regan Vidiksis; Ariana Riccio; Kristie Patten

doi:10.1007/s10803-021-05230-2

Experiences of Students, Teachers, and Parents Participating in an Inclusive, School-Based Informal Engineering Education Program

J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Aug;52(8):3574-3585. doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-05230-2. Epub 2021 Aug 19.

Authors

Yu-Lun Chen^{1

2}, Kavitha Murthi^{3

4}, Wendy Martin⁵, Regan Vidiksis⁵, Ariana Riccio⁵, Kristie Patten³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Occupational Therapy, New York University, 82 Washington Square East, 6th Floor, New York, NY, USA. yulun.chen@nyu.edu.
² Department of Occupational Therapy, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, Pless Hall, 82 Washington Square East, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA. yulun.chen@nyu.edu.
³ Department of Occupational Therapy, New York University, 82 Washington Square East, 6th Floor, New York, NY, USA.
⁴ Department of Occupational Therapy, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, Pless Hall, 82 Washington Square East, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
⁵ EDC Center for Children and Technology, 96 Morton Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, USA.

Abstract

Many youth on the autism spectrum possess interests and strengths for STEM-related postsecondary pathways, yet there are few research-based programs to support those interests and competencies including complex problem solving and social communication. This qualitative study explored the experiences and perceived outcomes of students, teachers, and parents participating in an inclusive, strength-based, extracurricular engineering design program entitled the IDEAS Maker Club. Twenty-six students, 13 parents, and nine teachers in the program completed interviews and program logs while researchers conducted classroom observations over 2 years. Thematic analysis identified five common themes: (1) positive student experience and engagement, (2) skills acquisition, (3) development of interest in STEM and related careers, (4) social relationships and community, and (5) safe spaces that supported self-determination.

Keywords: Adolescents; Engineering; STEM; School-based intervention; Strength-based; Youth.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Autism Spectrum Disorder*
Humans
Parents
Qualitative Research
School Teachers
Schools
Students

Grants and funding

1614436/National Science Foundation