Understanding the Strategies for Supporting Children with Autism

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my supervisors, friends and family, without their support this research study would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I adjudge that the entire content of this dissertation is entirely my own work; the content used in this dissertation has not been submitted before in any educational institution and represents my own opinion.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

This study is imperative to the Saudi Arabian Kingdom, as it provides insights regarding general and special education teachers' attitudes toward including students with learning disabilities in the general education classroom. The data from Saudi special and general education teachers may contribute a great deal to the initiation of the new Saudi system of integrating students with learning disabilities. This research study included the investigative mixed methods. In the mixed methodology, the quantitative as well as the qualitative research methods were used. In the quantitative research, method the survey instrument was used apart from it the interviews were conducted that come in the qualitative research method. The interview analysis suggested that the educational system of Saudi Arabia for special children is somehow satisfactory, but lot more work and strategies are needed for improving this area. There are many institutions, which are working for promoting special education in KSA. Overall, after analyzing the results of mean and standard deviation, it can be suggested that the respondents of this study have similar and positive responses to the questions asked from them during questionnaire analysis. Since Saudi Arabia's educational commitment to persons with disabilities is still in its early stages of development, the Saudi Arabian educational system might benefit from the experience of its Western counterparts due to their leadership in providing research and practices for persons with disabilities. It is safe to conclude that by more formally adopting a policy of inclusive education in Saudi Arabia, the door will be further opened to deliver a wider variety and a higher quality of education services to persons with disabilities.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT2

DECLARATION3

ABSTRACT4

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Introduction1

1.2 Saudi Arabia and Educational System1

1.3 Problem statement5

1.5 Rationale for the study6

1.6 Research questions7

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW9

2.1 Introduction9

2.1.1 Definitions of Learning Disabilities9

2.1.3 Intrapersonal Challenges and Interpersonal Challenges10

2.1.6 Communication11

2.1.7 Imagination11

2.2 Education system in Saudi Arabia12

2.2.1 History of General Education12

2.3 The History of Special Education14

2.4 Disabilities in the Kingdom15

2.5 Effective intervention strategies for children with autism17

2.6 Some selected strategies for supporting children with Autism in Saudi-Arabia17

2.8 Summary18

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY19

3.1 Introduction19

3.2 Participants21

3.3 Research Instruments21

3.4 .Ethical consideration22

3.5 Summary of the Chapter23

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION24

4.1 Questionnaire analysis24

Gender24

Age24

Educational Level25

Teaching Experience25

Kind Of Training Program Or Certification On Special Education26

Student With Disability Studying In Class26

Students With Disabilities (Autism) And Completion Of Assignments27

Group Interaction Between Students With Disabilities And Normal Students28

Students With Disabilities Specially And Behavioural Problems29

Students With Learning Disability Mingle With The Normal Students And Academic Performance30

Integrating Students With Learning Disabilities31

Strategies to promote inclusion impacts positively on the students with learning disabilities31

students with learning disabilities' behaviours set negative example32

Regular Classrooms Teachers And Adequate Training Skills33

Supporting Strategies For Students With Autism34

Welcome students with disabilities (autism) ...