An exploratory study on the type of information regarding needs of parents having children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Rajesh Ramachandran

Volume : VII, Issue : IV, April - 2017

An exploratory study on the type of information regarding needs of parents having children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Rajesh Ramachandran

Abstract :

Autism is neurological developmental disorder which is characterized impairments in communication and socialization associated with repetitive and ritualistic behavior and because of these significant difficulties children with ASD always require intensive intervention at home or in the school. Looking after a child with ASD unquestionably affects the normal pattern of family life. Ahmadi et. al (2011) studied 62 parents of children having ASD in Iran and found that many of the parents reported their needs related to services. The benefits of family centered interventions are being greatly recognized now more than ever before.

The present study is aimed to find out the information of needs of parents having ASD. The sample was selected from the parents who visited NIEPMD for the first time for assessment and intervention of their child. Random samples of 75 parents were undertaken for the study, these parents are those who were registered with NIEPMD during the year 2015–17. The no of sample consisted of both the parents i.e father and mother as one single sample. NIMH Family Needs Schedule (NIMH FAMNS) was used to collect the information as its reliability and validity is already established. The information collected was tabulated and calculated in simple percentile scores.

The results indicated that most of the parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are having the needs of services.