“Let them show what they can do”: parents’ views on strengths-based approaches for autistic high school students

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Metadata sources used for this reference

OpenAlex Crossref BibTeX OpenCitations
Learn more about the sources used

White, J., Williams, P. J., McGarry, S., & Black, M. H. (2025). “Let them show what they can do”: parents’ views on strengths-based approaches for autistic high school students. Educational Review, 78(2), 223-238. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2025.2485448

Publication date: 11 Apr 2025 Added to AutiHub: 16 Sep 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) Full text OpenAlex source

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
4
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 4 (25.0%)
  1. Jia White *
  2. P. John Williams
  3. Sarah McGarry
  4. Melissa H. Black

Abstract

Despite efforts to build inclusive education experiences, many autistic youth still report negative school experiences. Strengths-based approaches that draw upon the unique strengths, interests, and resources of individuals and their environments may be an integral component of promoting inclusive school environments for these youth, but there is a limited understanding of how these approaches are implemented in schools. Following a phenomenological design, 23 parents of autistic youth currently or recently attending high school were interviewed to examine parental perspectives and experiences of strengths-based approaches in high schools. Six themes described parents’ perspectives and experiences of strengths-based approaches in high school: (1) Building on their strengths, (2) Let them show what they can do, (3) Let them take risks, (4) It is vital but is it possible? (5) It needs a whole-school approach and (6) It’s a constant fight. Parental perspectives suggest that while they believe strengths-based approaches are necessary for their child, they felt that practical and systemic limitations impacted their implementation in schools. Parents wanted their children to have access to individualised, differentiated strategies and authentic learning experiences that were based on their strengths and interests. To develop these learning experiences, educators and schools must actively involve both parents and students, with broader systemic and school-wide changes likely being necessary to support the implementation of strengths-based approaches for autistic students.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 20 Sep 2026 01:01.

Cited references
53
With a DOI
41
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
10
4 / 53 (7.5%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
6 / 53 (11.3%)
References with detected author names
47 / 53 (88.7%)
Without detected author names
6
Without a structured title
6
Without a stable identifier
9
References with raw author names still to review
6
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
159
From DOI or external metadata
159
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
9
39 / 159 (24.5%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 120 / 159 (75.5%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
5 / 159 (3.1%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 5 / 39 (12.8%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 4 / 152 (2.6%).
  1. Sara M. Acevedo * , Emily A. Nusbaum (2020). Autism, Neurodiversity, and Inclusive Education . Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education. Oxford University PressNew York, NY.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1260 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3117172008
    AutiHub · Autistic Autism Scholarship Project Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  3. Michael Quinn Patton (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice .
    Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W561751346
    Crossref OpenAlex
  4. Joanna Anderson , Christopher Boyle (2019). Looking in the mirror: reflecting on 25 years of inclusive education in Australia . International Journal of Inclusive Education, 23(7-8), 796-810. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/13603116.2019.1622802 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2948075775
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  5. Marita Falkmer , Katie Anderson , Annette Joosten , Torbjörn Falkmer (2015). Parents’ Perspectives on Inclusive Schools for Children with Autism Spectrum Conditions . International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 62(1), 1-23. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/1034912x.2014.984589 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2042263926
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  6. John W. Creswell (2013). Qualitative inquiry & research design: choosing among five approaches .
    Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1569268909
    OpenAlex
  7. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2019). Disability ageing and carers Australia: Summary of findings 2018. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release#autism-in-australia .
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  8. Brian E. Neubauer , Catherine T. Witkop , Lara Varpio (2019). How phenomenology can help us learn from the experiences of others . Perspectives on Medical Education, 8(2), 90-97. Ubiquity Press, Ltd..
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s40037-019-0509-2 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2932631983
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  9. Robert Koegel , Sunny Kim , Lynn Koegel , Ben Schwartzman (2013). Improving Socialization for High School Students with ASD by Using Their Preferred Interests . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(9), 2121-2134. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-013-1765-3 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1976527686
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  10. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW]. (2024). People with disability in Australia. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia .
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  11. Saulius Šukys , Audronė Dumčienė , Dalia Lapėnienė (2015). Parental Involvement in Inclusive Education of Children with Special Educational Needs . Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal, 43(2), 327-338. Scientific Journal Publishers Ltd.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.2224/sbp.2015.43.2.327 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1978874512
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  12. Lindsay Ball , Lauren J. Lieberman , Pamela Haibach-Beach (2021). Check Your Fear at the Door: Allowing Students With Disabilities the “Dignity of Risk” in Physical Education . Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 92(6), 57-59. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/07303084.2021.1936872 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3193666507
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  13. Natasha Duell , Laurence Steinberg (2020). Differential Correlates of Positive and Negative Risk Taking in Adolescence . Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 49(6), 1162-1178. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10964-020-01237-7 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3019356397
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  14. K. Boshoff , D. Gibbs , R. L. Phillips , L. Wiles , L. Porter (2016). Parents' voices: ‘why and how we advocate’. A meta‐synthesis of parents' experiences of advocating for their child with autism spectrum disorder . Child: Care, Health and Development, 42(6), 784-797. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/cch.12383 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2499782818
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. Carly Lassig , Shiralee Poed , Glenys Mann , Beth Saggers , Suzanne Carrington , Sofia Mavropoulou (2024). The future of special schools in Australia: complying with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities . International Journal of Inclusive Education, 28(9), 1701-1719. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/13603116.2021.2020344 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4210515538
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  16. Susan H. Hedges , Anne V. Kirby , Melissa A. Sreckovic , Suzanne Kucharczyk , Kara Hume , Stephanie Pace (2014). “Falling through the Cracks”: Challenges for High School Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder . The High School Journal, 98(1), 64-82. Project MUSE.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1353/hsj.2014.0014 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2068772974
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  17. Kobie Boshoff , Deanna Gibbs , Rebecca L. Phillips , Louise Wiles , Lisa Porter (2019). A meta‐synthesis of how parents of children with autism describe their experience of advocating for their children during the process of diagnosis . Health & Social Care in the Community, 27(4), e143-e157. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12691 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2905368796
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Suzanne Carrington , Robyn Robinson (2006). Inclusive school community: why is it so complex? International Journal of Inclusive Education, 10(4-5), 323-334. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/13603110500256137 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2084179823
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  19. Kristen Bottema-Beutel , Noah J. Sasson , Rachael McKinnon , Ruoxi Guo , Caroline Braun * , Brittany N. Hand et al. (2024). Recognizing and Resisting Ableist Language in Schools: Suggestions for School-based Speech Language Pathologists and Related Professionals . OSF Preprints. Center for Open Science.
    Type: Preprint DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/73ykq OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4390699278
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  20. Dennis Saleebey (1996). The strengths perspective in social Work practice: Extensions and cautions . Soc. Work, 41(3), 296. Oxford University Press (OUP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1093/sw/41.3.296 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2111922753
    Crossref OpenAlex
  21. Jennifer L. Bumble , Christopher R. J. Worth , Lindsay S. Athamanah , Magen Rooney-Kron , April Regester , Jonathan Lidgus (2022). “Messy Inclusion”: A Call for Dignity of Risk in Inclusive Postsecondary Education . Inclusive Practices, 1(2), 64-69. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/27324745211050023 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3210946687
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. Lynn Kern Koegel , Anjileen K. Singh , Robert L. Koegel (2010). Improving Motivation for Academics in Children with Autism . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(9), 1057-1066. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-010-0962-6 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2119938716
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Priscilla Burnham Riosa , Victoria Chan , Andrea Maughan , Victoria Stables , Carly Albaum , Jonathan A. Weiss (2017). Remediating Deficits or Increasing Strengths in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research: a Content Analysis . Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 1(3), 113-121. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s41252-017-0027-3 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2623254001
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  24. Thusa Sabapathy , Nirupama Madduri , Alexis Deavenport-Saman , Irina Zamora , Sheree M. Schrager , Douglas L. Vanderbilt (2017). Parent-Reported Strengths in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders at the Time of an Interdisciplinary Diagnostic Evaluation . Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 38(3), 181-186. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000000423 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2601909811
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  25. Karen S. Hurlbutt (2011). Experiences of Parents Who Homeschool Their Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders . Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 26(4), 239-249. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1088357611421170 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2125099930
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  26. Carrington S. Mavropoulou S. Saggers B. & Nepal S. (2024). Incluisve education in Australia policy review. https://www.autismcrc.com.au/sites/default/files/reports/5-084_Monograph_Inclusive_Education_In_Australia_Policy_Review.pdf .
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  27. Mahmoud M. Emam , Peter Farrell (2009). Tensions experienced by teachers and their views of support for pupils with autism spectrum disorders in mainstream schools . European Journal of Special Needs Education, 24(4), 407-422. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/08856250903223070 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2127111946
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  28. Michelle Cleary , Sancia West , Loyola Mclean (2023). From ‘Refrigerator Mothers’ to Empowered Advocates: The Evolution of the Autism Parent . Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 44(1), 64-70. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2022.2115594 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4294151545
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  29. Emma Climie , Laura Henley (2016). A renewed focus on strengths‐based assessment in schools . British Journal of Special Education, 43(2), 108-121. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/1467-8578.12131 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2407483537
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Suzanne Carrington , Beth Saggers (2021). An introduction to research in inclusive education . In Research Approaches to Supporting Students on the Autism Spectrum in Inclusive Schools (pp. 3-16). Routledge.
    Type: Book chapter DOI: 10.4324/9781003049081-2 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3157379892
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  31. Kristin M. Rispoli , Nicole E. Mathes , Allura L. Malcolm (2019). Characterizing the parent role in school-based interventions for autism: A systematic literature review. School Psychology, 34(4), 444-457. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1037/spq0000283 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2960680092
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  32. Eddie Denessen , Lisette Hornstra , Linda van den Bergh , Gijsbert Bijlstra (2022). Implicit measures of teachers' attitudes and stereotypes, and their effects on teacher practice and student outcomes: A review . Learning and Instruction, 78, 101437. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.learninstruc.2020.101437 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3118062794
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Amy L. Donaldson , Karen Krejcha , Andy McMillin (2017). A Strengths-Based Approach to Autism: Neurodiversity and Partnering With the Autism Community . Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 2(1), 56-68. American Speech Language Hearing Association.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1044/persp2.sig1.56 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2583262302
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  34. Benjamin Saunders , Julius Sim , Tom Kingstone , Shula Baker , Jackie Waterfield , Bernadette Bartlam et al. (2018). Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization . Quality & Quantity, 52(4), 1893-1907. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s11135-017-0574-8 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2754799758
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  35. Colaizzi P. F. (1978). Existential phenomenological alternatives for psychology . Existential phenomenological alternatives for psychology, 48.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  37. Rainart Fayette , Caroline Bond (2018). A systematic literature review of qualitative research methods for eliciting the views of young people with ASD about their educational experiences . European Journal of Special Needs Education, 33(3), 349-365. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/08856257.2017.1314111 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2610686780
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  38. Creswell J. W. (2018). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches . Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  39. Jessica A. Leveto (2018). Toward a sociology of autism and neurodiversity . Sociology Compass, 12(12). Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/soc4.12636 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2896542086
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  40. Elinda Ai Lim Lee , Melissa H. Black , Marita Falkmer , Tele Tan , Louise Sheehy , Sven Bölte et al. (2020). “We Can See a Bright Future”: Parents’ Perceptions of the Outcomes of Participating in a Strengths-Based Program for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(9), 3179-3194. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04411-9 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3008207006
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  41. Joanne Smith-Young , Roger Chafe , Rick Audas , Diana L Gustafson (2022). “I Know How to Advocate”: Parents’ Experiences in Advocating for Children and Youth Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder . Health Services Insights, 15, 11786329221078803-11786329221078803. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/11786329221078803 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4213457907
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  42. Paul Francis Colaizzi (1978). Psychological research as the phenomenologist views it . Medical Entomology and Zoology, 48-71.
    Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2932193690
    OpenAlex
  43. Keri C. Fogle , David Hoppey , David H. Allsopp (2020). The Fight Within: Parent-Educators Advocating for their Children with Autism Inside their Own School Districts . Teacher Education and Special Education: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, 43(2), 162-177. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/0888406419861964 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2956626142
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  44. Gail M. D. (2007). Education research: An introduction . Education research: An introduction.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  45. Jacqueline Roberts , Amanda A. Webster (2022). Including students with autism in schools: a whole school approach to improve outcomes for students with autism . International Journal of Inclusive Education, 26(7), 701-718. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/13603116.2020.1712622 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2998803807
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  46. Ayse Kart , Mehmet Kart (2021). Academic and Social Effects of Inclusion on Students without Disabilities: A Review of the Literature . Education Sciences, 11(1), 16. MDPI AG.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3390/educsci11010016 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3117066997
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  47. Vasiliki Totsika , Richard P. Hastings , Yoko Dutton , Alison Worsley , Glenn Melvin , Kylie M. Gray et al. (2020). Types and correlates of school non-attendance in students with autism spectrum disorders . Autism, 24(7), 1639-1649. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361320916967 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3012853167
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  48. Nick Warren , Bridges Eatchel , Anne V. Kirby , Marissa Diener , Cheryl Wright , Valerie D’Astous (2021). Parent-identified strengths of autistic youth . Autism, 25(1), 79-89. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361320945556 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3047238683
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  49. Siobhan O’Hagan , Caroline Bond , Judith Hebron (2021). What do we know about home education and autism? A thematic synthesis review . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 80, 101711. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101711 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3113352246
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  50. Xueqin Qian , Seunghee Lee , David R. Johnson , Yi-Chen Wu (2024). Expectations of Transition-Age Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Toward Postsecondary Education . Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 39(1), 35-44. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/10883576231188331 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4385277971
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  51. QSR International. (2020). NVivo qualitative data analysis software (Version 13).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  52. UN General Assembly. (1948). Universal declaration of human rights. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights .
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  53. UNESCO. (1994). The Salamanca Statement and framework for action on special needs education. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000098427 .
    Type: Other
    Crossref