Drawing on Key Partner Perspectives of an Autism-Focused Professional Development Program: A Conceptual Framework for Coaching

Most teachers report wanting more training and support to teach autistic students. Individual, autism-focused coaching is a promising approach for improving teacher self-efficacy and autistic student outcomes. Given the high workload demands of coaching, it must be feasible and acceptable. This study considers coaches', teachers', and autistic peoples' perspectives to identify key components integral to autism-focused coaching as well as strategies that enhance the feasibility and acceptability of each component. Interviews with seven K-2nd grade teachers, ten autistic adolescents and adults, and a focus group with six coaches were qualitatively examined using an inductive approach and incorporated grounded theory practices to develop an autism-focused coaching framework. This framework consists of four contextual elements that were identified as crucial to coaching within an autism-specific context, including the use of a neurodiversity-affirming lens and coaches' strong autism knowledge. This framework also comprises eight sequential coaching components informed by principles of adult learning theory (e.g. observation, feedback, self-reflection) that are generalizable to supporting teachers' work with autistic and neurodivergent students. These findings offer guidance to coaches and program developers regarding key components to implement when working with teachers supporting autistic students. We highlight specific recommendations within each component to maximize the feasibility and social validity of autism-specific coaching.