School Readiness for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Critical Gaps and Call for Research

Students who enter kindergarten without school readiness skills are more likely to demonstrate academic, behavioral, and social struggles during school. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are particularly at risk for underdeveloped school readiness skills, which can undermine academic achievement and result in poor long-term outcomes. The purpose of this article is to synthesize literature that aligns with a widely used Office of Head Start’s model of school readiness, applied to children with ASD, and to present critical gaps in research and opportunities for practice that may improve school readiness in this population. Research in this area may ultimately help to enhance service delivery that improves preparation for school and, therefore, later academic and long-term life outcomes for students with ASD.