Teachers understanding of challenging behaviours and management strategies for children with autism spectrum disorder in Dhaka City

Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Title: “Teachers understanding of challenging behaviours and management strategies for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Dhaka City”.

Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate teachers understanding of challenging behaviours and management strategies for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Dhaka City.

Objectives:  To investigate whether teachers understand the cause(s) of challenging behaviour(s).  To investigate what strategies teachers use to manage challenging behaviours.  To understand how best to help teachers develop an understanding of the causes of challenging behaviour.

Methodology: The study is based on a phenomenological qualitative research design paradigm. Less than 2 years experiences teachers were the participants in this study. In this study 12 samples were selected using a purposive (non-probability) sampling technique in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Face-to-face, structured open-ended interviews were conducted with transcripts and electronic voice recordings taken for further analysis. Survey questions were adapted from Dhaliwal‟s (2013) study.Content analysis specifically focused on keywords and themes was used to initially summaries the data for later analysis.

Results: The results indicated that a significant majority of teachers did not have an understanding of challenging behaviour‟s although they were able to name some very basic short-term „reactive‟ management strategies. No teachers in the study were able to describe and provide names of more complex and long-term strategies commonly used to manage challenging behaviours. Only 6 of 12 participants recognised that „behaviours‟ were a form of communication and those children were often trying to „communicate‟ a message through their behaviours. Approximately 3 of 12

participants subsequently understood the role that Speech and Language Therapists had in terms of behaviour management.

Conclusion and Recommendation: The results indicate that further training of teachers is necessary in the areas of understanding children with ASD and understanding challenging behaviours. The study also highlights the need for Speech and Language Therapy to promote their services and develop an understanding within both professionals and the general public within regards to their scope of practice which includes working with children with ASD. From this study researcher hint is that teachers need proper training about ASD, need to grow their confident to applying managing strategies, should gain huge knowledge about others professionals role in ASD, they need to consult with SLTs to enrich clear idea about ASD and the appropriate way of applying managing strategies.