Attitudes Towards Autism Among Israeli Arab Teachers' College Students

The rise in the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder has increased world-wide (Flood, Bul‐ grin and Morgan, 2012). This phenomena calls for the expansion and development of teachers preparation courses to work with this population as well as providing specific courses to pro‐ fessionals in the medical and health professions such as speech therapists, occupational thera‐ pists, art therapists etc. that focus on the needs of children and adults with autism. It also calls for the development of community services to children and families, such as early diagnosis, counseling parents, education of school aged children and as they graduate from school, cre‐ ating community living arrangements for adults along with opportunities for employment, social and leisure time activities. The development and use of appropriate services must be based on awareness of the autistic spectrum disorder as a subgroup of persons with develop‐ mental disabilities that is distinguished from other disabilities such as intellectual disabilities or mental illness. It is also based on openness and positive attitudes towards these persons as equal members of society who have the right to live in the community in a respectful manner.