A Study on Psycho-social Situation of Children with Autism

Abstract

Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign country from Southeast Asia having population of more than 16 million people. The rate of autism is increasing day by day. But there is not enough information about autism to increase public awareness. In this context, it is very important to explore the nature of psycho-social status of autistic children. Keeping this goal in mind, the current research work under the title A Study on Psycho-social Situation of Children with Autism has been conducted. In the present study, data were collected and analyzed from both primary and secondary sources to explore the psycho-social condition of children with autism. A research design including rationale of the study, objectives, conceptual and theoretical framework, research methodologies, data collection tools and techniques has been formulated by reviewing various books, articles, journals and survey’s supporting the research. The main objective of the present study was to understand psycho-social situation of children with autism. Social Survey and Case Study methods were followed to illustrate the main objective of the research i.e. the psycho-social condition of autistic children. The social survey method used in the study was to collect data through structured interview schedule from parents of a total number of 60 autistic children from 2 “special education schools” to highlight the quantitative approach of the research. In addition data were collected through in-depth interviews with 10 stakeholders who are experts and who have knowledge of the subject matter to meet the goal of research objectives. Besides, 6 case studies have been done to apply the qualitative approach of the research as the methodology of the research work is based on mixed-method approach, both quantitative and qualitative. The analysis of the data obtained from the two methods of this research shows that, it can clearly be seen that people’s acceptance and awareness about autism has increased to a large extent. As a result, the diagnosis of autism is increasing. About 66 percent of children are diagnosed with autism within 1-2 years. But 100 percent awareness has not yet come among people. Analyzing data regarding receiving on autistic children’s health and education services, about 55 percent of the respondents feel that their child’s health is improved after receiving health services and about 63 percent of respondents feel that positive changes and improvements are being observed in their child after receiving education services. According to majority of the respondents, healthcare providers need skilled health workers. About 56 percent of the respondents feel that health workers are efficient but therapy support is not sufficient. About 65 percent are getting speech therapy, about 20 percent are getting occupational therapy; about 6 vi percent are getting other health services and therapies. Regarding education services, about 20 percent of the respondents are dissatisfied and about 50 percent of the respondents are fairly satisfied. Therefore, emphasis should be given on improving the quality of education and health services and ensuring adequate services. Exploring the psycho-social challenges of autistic children, it was found that, about 71 percent of the respondents think, the attitude towards autistic children of the family members and relatives are condescending. About 61 percent placed their opinion regarding the social attitude towards autistic children, society still consider autistic child as a curse. About 5 percent of the respondents think that, autistic children’s are suffering from financial burden. About 70 percent of the respondent’s think- having an autistic child made them socially isolated. Near about 86 percent thinks that- parents of children with autism have financial burden. About 40 percent of the respondents suffers from severe depression. Therefore, parents and children's counseling is needed. The study also shows that, the data obtained from the case studies, increasing awareness in order to ensuring social acceptance, rehabilitation, employment, accommodation, social security allowances etc. are very important for the autistic children. Moreover, social security allowances, banking facilities are utmost needed for the well-being of children with autism. The study explored that, about 90 percent of the respondents from the in-depth interview, think that- ensuring social inclusion is utmost important to bring the children with autism back to the mainstream of society for overall development of the autistic children. About 80 percent of the respondents placed their opinion that- monitoring, evaluation and accountability must be ensured in every organizations giving the services to the children with autism which will accelerate sustainable development. About 60 percent of the respondents think that, media can play an important role to increase awareness. Public awareness also can be increased through various government campaigns, and ensuring access to information through the implication of “RTI Act- 2009”. This research study suggests that- in order to ensure the well-being of the children with autism, government, non-government and above all people from all levels of society should work together by following human rights model of disability and to ensure the implementation of existing policies and programs; monitoring, evaluation and accountability must be ensured in every government and non-government organizations so that autistic children can be brought back into the mainstream of the society through social inclusion which will accelerate sustainable development for the children with autism.