Contributing factors behind psychological problems among children and adults with autism
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UMT.Lahore
Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to find out major contributing factors behind psychological problems among children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Following were the research questions (1) what are the major contributing factors behind psychological problems among children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder? (2)What are the differences in the perception of parents and teachers about the major psychological problems among children & adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder have?(3)What are the demographic factors which differentiate the perception of teachers and parents about the major factors causing psychological problems among children & adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder? The total sample size of the present study was 70 mothers and 70 teachers. Self developed questionnaire was administered respectively. Non probability purposive sampling strategy was used to collect data. Descriptive analysis reveals that environmental and social factor (mean = 6.73) , teacher and school factor ( mean= 2.68) , Parental factor (mean= 2.67) and Peri pre and post natal factor ( mean= 2.51). Lack of school accessibility, affordability of medicines, infections during pregnancy, lack of access to support services during delivery , lack of trained staff in school, lack of access to support services during delivery, stressful environment, mother’s psychological problems during pregnancy were major contributing factors. T test analysis revealed that Environmental and social, parental and pre peri and post natal factors are identified as three main significant factors contributing in psychological problems among children and adults with Autism with reference to both teachers and parents. Regression analysis Results revealed a significant strong predictive relationship of demographic characteristics and environmental and social factor. Results revealed that Non availability of an occupational therapist, ABA trainer, speech therapist lack of accessibility of schools and twins children are the strongest predictor of psychological problems, according to the mother’s perception with reference to peri pre and postnatal factors. Birth of twin children is the strongest predictor of psychological problems according to the teacher’s perception with reference to parental factors.