ABSTRACT
This chapter explores in detail five themes resulting from the Adult interactive study (AISI). The five themes are: the importance of being a reflective practitioner; the use of Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) as an effective way of facilitating reflection; the need for a team around the child involving practitioners from different disciplines, with an emphasis on teachers, TAs, parents and the child's family; the significance of involving the voices of individuals with autism in decision-making; and the impact of cultural differences on viewing autism and special needs in general, and on selecting educational approaches. The chapter focuses on implications for practice for parents and practitioners, and it concerns the implications for future research. It explains how special needs and autism in particular are viewed around the world and within different cultures in the same country. The chapter considers prevalence rates, characteristics and educational priorities and their implications for practice.
