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Abstract

Challenges Faced by Teachers When Teaching Learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Special Schools in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa †

by
Keorapetse L. Ralebapa
* and
Mokoko P. Kekana
Department of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Limpopo, Sovenga 0272, South Africa
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
Presented at Faculty of Health Sciences: 8th Annual Research Day, Polokwane, South Africa, 17–18 September 2025.
Proceedings 2025, 130(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025130046 (registering DOI)
Published: 26 December 2025
Versions Notes

  • Background: Teachers of learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encounter various challenges that impact learners’ educational outcomes. Anecdotal evidence during school visit learner assessments indicated that learners with ASD do not show improvements regarding their language and communication, social interaction and repetitive behaviour. If these challenges are not addressed at an early stage, they could affect learners’ way of life as they grow into adulthood.
  • Objectives: This study explored and described the challenges faced by teachers when teaching learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in special schools in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach was used to conduct face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers to determine the challenges they are faced with when teaching learners with ASD. Data was analysed thematically.
  • Results: The following three (3) themes emerged: a lack of parental involvement in their children’s learning process; a lack of teachers’ understanding of special needs education; and a shortage of resources. Seven (7) sub-themes also emerged from this study. Teachers of learners with ASD are faced with challenges relating to uncooperative parents; a shortage of staff, classrooms and educational materials; and a lack of knowledge and skills to teach the learners. Participants expressed that the behaviours exhibited by ASD learners are destructive, and lead to a challenging teaching experience.
  • Conclusions: Various factors that impact teachers when teaching learners with ASD are highlighted, which are consistent with other studies. These provide future opportunities for further research in this area focusing on possible interventions and the adjustment of policies regarding the education of learners with ASD. Teaching a learner with ASD requires the collaborative efforts of teachers and parents.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, methodology, validation, formal analysis, investigation, resources, data curation, writing—original draft preparation, K.L.R. Writing—review and editing, M.P.K.; visualization, K.L.R. Super-vision, M.P.K.; project administration, K.L.R. and M.P.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was approved to be conducted by Turfloop Research and Ethics Committee of University of Limpopo, TREC/1724/2023:PG, on 4 December 2023.

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the authors upon request.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The authors further report that they are responsible for the content, writing and proofreading of the paper.
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MDPI and ACS Style

Ralebapa, K.L.; Kekana, M.P. Challenges Faced by Teachers When Teaching Learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Special Schools in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Proceedings 2025, 130, 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025130046

AMA Style

Ralebapa KL, Kekana MP. Challenges Faced by Teachers When Teaching Learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Special Schools in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Proceedings. 2025; 130(1):46. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025130046

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ralebapa, Keorapetse L., and Mokoko P. Kekana. 2025. "Challenges Faced by Teachers When Teaching Learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Special Schools in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa" Proceedings 130, no. 1: 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025130046

APA Style

Ralebapa, K. L., & Kekana, M. P. (2025). Challenges Faced by Teachers When Teaching Learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Special Schools in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Proceedings, 130(1), 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025130046

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