Maziad Al Adwan
The prevalence of autism is of high percentage in developmental disabilities in Jordan. Owing to parents being the primary caregivers in most situations, their ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of autism and respond appropriately is importance to provide training programs to autistic individuals. This study aims to ascertaining the parent’s knowledge and awareness and perception of autism.
A study was performed to screen the Knowledge, awareness and perception of parents of non-autistic children. Sample of 200 parents of non-autistic children were selected. Data were analyzed using (SPSS version 16).
The study displayed a lack of awareness and knowledge and perception of autism. Special programs should be provided to those parents to promote their knowledge, awareness, and perception deficits,. On a positive note, most were willing to get their children tested and treated in case of a diagnosis. However, only a small number of participants knew of autism centers. Counseling parents about autism is needed.
Background: The prevalence of autism is growing all over the world. Owing to parents being the primary caregivers in most situations, their ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of autism and respond appropriately is of paramount importance in aiming to provide the best educational training programs to autistic individuals. This study was conducted with the aim of ascertaining the parent’s knowledge and awareness and perception of autism.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed by the researcher to screen the Knowledge, awareness and perception of parents of non-autistic children in Zarka area, Jordan. The researcher excluded the parents belonging to the medical profession, those who have autistic children, and those who couldn’t completely comprehend Arabic. A sample size of 200 parents of non-autistic children was selected. A validated and pre-tested questionnaire was administered among the study participants to record demographic information, knowledge, and perceptions regarding autism and its signs and symptoms. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 16). A knowledge score was calculated for opinions about autism and its signs and symptoms individually to reflect a participant’s overall knowledge regarding autism.
Results: From the study population, 75% of our population had heard of autism, with those who knew of someone with the disorder displaying greater awareness. However, our participants displayed poor knowledge scores, with a mean score of 5.59 in the section concerning correct opinions on autism and that of 6.84 in the section testing knowledge of signs and symptoms. Despite this, 95.6% of the participants were willing to get their children treated, in the event of them being diagnosed with autism.
Conclusion: The population of the study displayed a lack of awareness and knowledge and perception of autism. In order to full fill the gap of knowledge, awareness and perception deficit, special programs related the deficits should be provided to those parents to promote their knowledge, awareness, and perception regarding autism, so as to allow for early diagnoses and intervention therapy. On a positive note, most were willing to get their children tested and treated in case of a diagnosis. However, only a small number of participants knew of autism centers in Zarka. General practitioners are needed to play a key role in counseling parents about autism.
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