ABSTRACT
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a common disability which early years practitioners will encounter in their professional life. This chapter focuses on how culture can influence the way families perceive a disability such as autism. It also covers a range of topics related to cultural perceptions, such as identification of autism, potential reactions from parents and its impact on the selection of skills to be taught within an early years curriculum. The chapter highlights issues to be considered while working with children on the autism spectrum belonging to minority ethnic communities and their families. With multiculturalism becoming the norm in most of the western world as well as other countries across the globe, it is important to consider the role of culture and special educational needs in providing an inclusive curriculum. The chapter ends with some reflective questions that will help you, as a practitioner, to connect these discussions to your own practice.
