School Participation in Autistic Girls and Boys: The Role of Social-Communication Abilities and Extrinsic Barriers

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Bibliographic Details
Title: School Participation in Autistic Girls and Boys: The Role of Social-Communication Abilities and Extrinsic Barriers
Language: English
Authors: Adeline Lacroix (ORCID 0000-0001-6990-5949), Morgane Burnel (ORCID 0000-0002-9383-4893), Monica Baciu (ORCID 0000-0002-6842-1317), Pauline Occelli, Marcela Perrone-Bertolotti (ORCID 0000-0001-9981-7042), Marie David, Anne Ego (ORCID 0000-0002-1025-910X)
Source: Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2026 30(5):1242-1262.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Early Adolescents, Children, Executive Function, Interpersonal Communication, Interpersonal Relationship, Interpersonal Competence, Student Participation, Barriers, Gender Differences, Intellectual Disability, Environmental Influences, Perceptual Impairments, Teacher Attitudes, Peer Relationship, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Foreign Countries, Age Differences, Behavior Problems, Comorbidity
Geographic Terms: France
DOI: 10.1177/13623613261428668
ISSN: 1362-3613
1461-7005
Abstract: This study aimed to offer a depiction and comprehensive understanding of school participation in autistic youth, which has received limited exploration. Parents of 871 autistic youth aged 7 or 15 were invited to participate in a study, among whom 600 agreed, allowing data collection on diagnosis, comorbidities, school, professional support, and parental characteristics. They were asked to fill in questionnaires assessing executive functions, social-communication difficulties, and school participation, completed by 241. Structural equation modeling and descriptive methods were employed to examine factors influencing school participation and the desire for change. Social-communication abilities stand out as the sole intrinsic determinant associated with school participation. Being a female and having an intellectual disability might negatively impact mainstream school attendance, without exerting a similar influence on activity attendance and involvement. Caregivers identified school demands and the sensory environment as extrinsic barriers to school participation, while teachers' attitudes and peer relationships were seen as both potential barriers and facilitators. Finally, 36%-58% indicated a desire for increased participation in at least one school activity. Our findings highlight the need to reduce stigma around autism, improve school support, and give special consideration to the schooling experiences of autistic girls.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://osf.io/h6wb9/overview
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1503270
Database: ERIC
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