The effect of intervention strategies on behavior of children with

Autism Spectrum disorder in Karachi: what experts recommend

and how parents and school provide.
BY: Noor-ul-ain Aziz
ABSTRACT:

The present study is directed toward identifying the effect of intervention strategies on behavior
of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Karachi: what experts recommend and how
parents and schools provide. It is general perception that behavior intervention program of ASD
are more cost effective than others and also concept that special and mainstream schools have
been producing good results.
It is descriptive survey type study in nature. Correlation/Regression Analysis method will be use
in this study. The purpose of this research study is three-fold. The first purpose is to determine
what types of behavior intervention strategies schools provide children with ASD. The second
purpose is to determine which types of behavior supplemental interventions parents are
providing to their children with ASD that are not provided by the school. The third and last
purpose is to determine that what ASD experts recommend. In instrumentation process,
interview, questionnaire will be develop on the sample target population. The instruments will
also properly update modified and standardized after pre-test/pilot study and also through re-test.
According to the National research council, 2001 Intervention strategies may help to overcome
undesired behavior. It is suggested in the light of previous finding that training, awareness and
understanding of the behavior can help the teachers and application of intervention strategies can
manage the children with ASD and this research study furthermore investigate that the effect of
intervention strategies on behavior of children with ASD and how parents and schools provide as
well as what are the recommendation that ASD experts given.

Introduction:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurobiological disorder and it is not curable but
manageable disorder. ASD includes four types of disorder such as autistic disorder, Aspergers
syndrome, and pervasive development disorders. It has defined a certain set of behaviors. Such
as two people have same diagnosis of autism but combination of behavior and scale of severity
can be different. According to Autism society of America (2005); it has generally three main
characteristics an ASD, these are repetitive behavior and interest, social interaction, verbal and
non-verbal communication.
However, ASD usually present by the age three, and there causes are unknown. Many theories
shows that children with ASD can learn and function normally also show improvement with
treatment and education. (Autism society of America, 2005). According to the National research
council, 2001 Intervention strategies may help to overcome undesired behavior and education
can teach self-help skills that will allow the child with ASD to become independent and way to
normal life.
Meanwhile, intervention strategies can play vital role in managing the needs of children with
ASD. There are six effective educational program used by ASD experts: specialized curriculum
content, highly supportive teaching environments, routine and predictability which cope the
challenging behavior and transitional program (Dawson & Osterling, 1997). Research shows that
early intervention was very critical in treating ASD. Common treatment is used such as behavior
and communication approaches, medication and complementary and alternative medicine. (U.S.
centers for disease control & prevention, 2011). Applied Behavior Analysis is one of the popular
behavior and communication approach used in school setting. Basically ABA therapy is to
encourage positive behavior and ignore negative behavior in order to achieve the desire behavior.
(Callahan, et al., 2009, US. Center for disease control and prevention, 2011). Another common
approach is cognitive behavioral modification, which also known as CBM. This approach is to
encourage independent functioning which is achieved through self-regulation and self-talk in
order to achieve control over ones behavior. The goal of this approach is for an individual to
gain more internal self-control.
Furthermore, many researchers suggests that training, awareness and understanding of the
behavior can help the teachers and application of intervention strategies can manage the children
with ASD.

Statement of the problem:

The present study are design that the effect of intervention strategies on behavior of children with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in special and mainstream schools of Karachi. In addition, what
ASD experts recommended and how parents and schools provide the needed services.

Research Question:
1)

Did ASD behavior intervention program more cost effective than the other?

2)

Did applied behavior analysis (ABA) approach effectively used in special schools?

3)

Did the behavior intervention strategies program have an impact on learning?

4)

How the behavior intervention strategies enhance the social skills of children with ASD?

5)

How behavior strategies strongly effect the communication and social skills of children
with ASD?

6)

What are the most frequently used intervention strategies for student with ASD?

Methodology:
Design:
The research design will be the descriptive survey. It will be identify the effect of intervention
strategies on behavior of children with ASD in special and mainstream schools of Karachi.
Method:
The data will be collect through survey method, questionnaire, interview and observation tools.
The mixed method data will use to achieve research objectives.
Instrumentation:
To meet the needs of required data, the questionnaires (open and close ended) for teachers, parent
and experts of children with ASD. In addition, some questionnaire will be Likert-type scale
format based.
Participation:
The school teachers, head teacher, parents of children with ASD and experts will chose as
participants in this research study.
Study site:
All the special schools and mainstream schools of Karachi serve as a target population.

References:

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http://ppinewsagency.com/138097/one-child-in-160-has-autism-spectrum-disorder/

http://tribune.com.pk/story/529812/world-autism-awareness-day-an-unwarranted-stigma/