Cultural Diversity and Social Inclusion Through Life-Based Learning
摘要
Cultural diversity and social inclusion are imperative components of holistic development in fostering a supportive and empathetic environment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, children with ASD often show challenging behaviours that can impede their social interactions, adaptation, and integration into multicultural settings. The challenging behaviours can also adversely impact the quality of life for children with ASD in terms of their overall development and the well-being of their families. This chapter explores the roles of life-based learning approaches via parental involvement in home settings to promote cultural diversity and social inclusion among children with ASD. Life-based learning generally emphasises real-life experiences and is supported by family participation and engagement in daily activities, exposing children with ASD to diverse cultural practices and inclusive social environments. Parents play a critical role in mediating behavioural interventions to promote positive behavioural outcomes and assist children with ASD to adapt to diverse cultural settings. The study emphasises the importance of parent-mediated behavioural intervention (PMBI) to enhance cultural and social awareness and competencies among children with ASD. The PMBI is integrated into daily routine family activities at home settings, providing a structured, consistent, and flexible approach to behaviour management by facilitating children with ASD to engage more positively with their surrounding environment. The findings suggest that when parents actively incorporate cultural diversity and social inclusion into life-based learning, they can effectively reduce challenging behaviours and promote adaptive skills in their children with ASD. Ultimately, this approach not only enriches the children’s learning experiences but also fosters a more inclusive and culturally aware environment at home, leading to improved outcomes for children with ASD.