Learning Experiences and Alternative Program (LEAP) for Preschoolers and Their Parents: A Model of Inclusion

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the various aspects of childhood development. One of the movements that have recently been put forward to empower these children and their presence in the community is the inclusion. Among the applied models that are known in autism, is the Learning Experience and Alternative Program (LEAP) model for pre-school students with autism spectrum disorders and their parents.

To do this, using the systematic review method by searching the following words (LEAP model, inclusion model, Learning Experiences and Alternative Program, autism inclusion) in scientific websites like, Science Direct, Proquest, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases data from 2000 to 2018 were collected. After the collection of resources, the history of the model of Learning Experience and Alternative Program, components, effectiveness and application was described.

The main purpose of this model is to help children achieve full developmental potential in order to use the mainstream of general education. In this paper, we attempt to identify and introduce the main components of this model. Empirical findings on the effectiveness of LEAP model on the development of functional skills, independent play, social interaction, achieving prerequisites for academic skills, language and adaptive behavior.