Children with autism: the educational aspect

• Main Authors: Radin Ariff Taquiddin, Dewi Amira Dania, Maidon, Farah Nurenna, Mohd Razapi, Nurul Anis Afiqah, Rozaini, Nur Saidatul Nasuha, Shafrul Afzam, Nur Afrina Farisah, Mokhtar, Aida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Zes Rokman Resources 2023
• Subjects: P87 Communication. Mass media
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/107232/7/107232_Children%20with%20autism%20the%20educational%20aspect.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/107232/; https://www.ijcwed.com/issue/international-journal-for-studies-on-children-women-elderly-and-persons-with-disabilities-vol-19-june-2023/

In Malaysia, there is a growing number of children with autism, according to the Ministry of Health. Children with autism and other disabilities are enrolled in special education provided by the country's government, the private sector, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). An NGO that offers educational programmes to children with autism in Malaysia is the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM). There are 15 NASOM centres in Malaysia and there has been a need for more studies on the NASOM branch in Kuantan hence, the study aimed to examine it mainly in terms of its educational programmes. The case study research design was adopted and qualitative research instruments were adopted such as the interview and observation of teachers and students in NASOM who are involved in the programmes. The findings generated three themes: NASOM services, Challenges in teaching children with autism, and Awareness of education for children with autism. The study used a grounded theoretical framework to generate a theory inductively from the data collected. The Theory of the Stakeholder Convergence of the Ideal Ambiance for Children with Autism was produced from the study upholding the importance of converging the stakeholders such as Parents, NASOM, and the public in providing an ideal ambiance for children with autism as they seek education. The paper provides recommendations to stakeholders regarding how to improve NASOM Kuantan’s services for children with autism, overcome the challenges, and improve awareness so that children with autism can have a better quality of life in Malaysia. It is hoped that the study contributes to the field of education for children with autism through the theory.