DESAFIOS ENFRENTADOS POR PROFISSIONAIS DE APOIO NA INCLUSÃO ESCOLAR DE CRIANÇAS COM AUTISMO: UM ESTUDO EXPLORATÓRIO

Abstract

This research aims to identify the challenges faced by support professionals in the process of school inclusion for children with autism. It consists of qualitative research, which explores the phenomena that involve the school inclusion process from the perception of inclusion support professionals. These professionals are responsible for facilitating the process of including children with disabilities in regular schools, and are considered essential in doing so. Ten professionals supporting school inclusion who work in the education network of a municipality in the interior of Ceará participated in the study, through a focus group. Using Content Analysis (CA), we sought to interpret the information collected in the focus group based on observations and field records. The results highlight challenges in relation to the lack of clarity in the legislation that regulates the role of support professionals, the definition of their professional training, the types of hiring, the functions to be performed and, finally, working conditions. This scenario leaves room for different interpretations that can result in misunderstandings and a lack of standardization of the service offered, which can make the process of school inclusion more difficult.