The transition to primary school (from either preschool or kindergarten, depending on the structure within an individual country, but referred to throughout this proposal as preschool) is a critical milestone in early childhood education. As Currie (2001) noted, "it marks the beginning of a new stage in the child's educational journey and can have long-term consequences for their academic and social development."
For young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a smooth transition from preschool to primary can set the stage for future success in school and beyond. Unfortunately, the change from a familiar, structured environment to an unfamiliar, unstructured one can be particularly challenging for children with ASD, who often have difficulty with change and transitions" (Zucker & Lawton, 2017). Transitioning from pre-school to primary education is often marked by a number of challenges, including changes in routine, unfamiliar social and physical environments, and a lack of familiarity with new teachers and peers" (Chawarska, Klin, & Volkmar, 2008).

Therefore, there is a critical need for effective interventions to support children with ASD during this transition period, and our project aims to address this need by developing and pilot testing an evidence-based assessment tool that measures school readiness skills in children with ASD. This tool will help identify the specific areas where children may need additional support and intervention to facilitate a successful transition to primary school. Thus, our project has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of children with ASD and their families, as well as on the broader educational system. It is therefore crucial that our project receives funding to enable us to carry out this important work.

Sustainable Development Goals

Masaryk University is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to improve the conditions and quality of life on our planet by 2030.