ASD in Preschool

Supporting early childhood professionals in detecting early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorders

ASD in Preschool empowers early childhood educators with the skills and knowledge to identify and support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

GA number: 2024-1-ES01-KA220-SCH-000248296

Funded by: Erasmus+ Duration: 01/09/2024-31/08/2026

Project logo

Challenge

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 100 people worldwide and 1 in 89 children in the EU. Early signs like developmental delays appear in up to 15% of preschoolers, making early detection and intervention critical. When ASD is identified before age 3–5, children often show better cognitive skills, need less support later, and are more likely to be included in mainstream education. Yet, diagnoses often come late—especially in lower-income communities. Early identification not only helps children but also reduces family stress and empowers parents through support and awareness.

Innovation

ASDinPreSchool empowers early childhood educators and families with the skills and knowledge they need to identify and support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). By strengthening early intervention practices, we help children with ASD achieve better developmental and educational outcomes and promote their inclusion in preschool settings. Through this initiative, we close gaps in existing practices and offer educators and families effective tools for early ASD intervention, fostering more inclusive, supportive, and equitable learning environments.

Action

This program provides early childhood educators with clear, practical tools to better support young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It delivers a hands-on curriculum that blends proven knowledge with simple strategies for everyday teaching. Based on educators experiences, the curriculum makes sure the material reflects real classroom needs.

A comprehensive guide for educators provides the necessary knowledge and strategies to support children with ASD, ensuring that the approaches are beneficial for all preschoolers, not just those with ASD. A parallel guide for parents promotes early detection and intervention, ensuring strategies are consistently applied both at home and in educational settings.

The ASDinPreschool Toolbox offers educators innovative, interactive tools to provide timely, tailored interventions that engage preschoolers with ASD. The toolbox includes material such as activity plans, board games, and flashcards, all designed to harness the power of arts to stimulate creativity and aesthetic appreciation among preschoolers

The training workshops aims to improve the skills of educators in innovative ASD management strategies and effective use of the curriculum.

A step-by-step guide provides clear and practical instructions for educators on how to integrate the “ASD in Preschool” resources into their teaching practices and curricula.

The policy recommendations raise awareness and help policymakers and educators understand effective strategies for supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in preschool settings.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Project Partners

KMOP, Greece
Organization's logo
Fundacion Mira’m de la Comunitat Valenciana, Spain (Coordinator)
Organization's logo
Children Rainbow World, Poland
Organization's logo
German School of Athens, Greece
Learning Edge, Cyprus
The Learning Edge, Greece

 

Leave a comment
or ask for help