Development of screening instrument and manual for children with Asperger Syndrome (ISSAKKM / SIMCAS)

• Main Authors: Abd Hamid, Siti Rafiah, Saad, Supiah, Ismail, Nik Ahmad Hisham, Ismail, Khamsiah, Nik Abdul Rahman, Nik Suryani, Ibrahim, Haniz
• Format: Monograph
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris 2019
• Subjects: LC1390 Education of special classes of persons
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/74611/1/74611_Development%20of%20screening%20instrument.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/74611/; http://ncdrc.upsi.edu.my

Children with Asperger syndrome (high-functioning autism spectrum disorder) develop into adulthood along diverse paths, and some often experience problems in school or occupational settings despite their high intellectual or language abilities. Better quality of life was associated with factors such as suitable medication, mother’s support and early diagnosis, while poorer quality of life was associated with the presence of aggressive behaviors. In line with the development of special education programmes for children with special needs, early detection of asperger syndrome cases could help the ECCE program provider to cater for early intervention program for children with asperger syndrome. Early intervention serves as a meaningful starting point in providing an appropriate program for children with asperger syndrome. This study will utilize the mixed method approach. In the initial stage instrument development (items/variables development) the qualitative approach (interviews) was employed with clinical experts in this area in order to gauge variables affecting asperger syndrome and as well as the asperger syndrome attributes. Series of observation were conducted on children at the age of five (5) and below at Permata Childcare Centres and other centers established by goverment agensies as well as private schools. The end product or contribution of this research is the validated instrument for screening asperger syndrome based on the Malaysian experience and subjects and as well as the development of Malaysian asperger syndrome manual which can be referred to by special needs practitioners in the Malaysian context. The establishment of this instrument/questionnaire and interview protocol (focus group purposes), special needs educators and child caretakers will create awareness of this problem among children at the preschool level. Such awareness will enable teachers and childcare takers to select suitable teaching-learning strategies and resources. Teachers will also be capable of catering the emotional and social needs of these children. As for serious Asperger cases, these potential cases will be referred to the medical practitioners. Standardized screening instrument for AS have been developed in other countries and they are not exactly suitable because of cultural differences. So far not many (if any), screening instrument for early detection of Asperger syndrome based on the Malaysian norms can be found in Malaysia. As such this study is important and pertinent to child caretakers and teachers so that they will be able to ascertain that these children’s emotional and social needs are met. This study was lead by Dr Supiah Saad initially and later taken over by Dr Siti Rafiah Abd Hamid later on due to inevitable circumstances. This team is supported by a host of experts which include psychologists, early childhood professional, clinical psychologists and special education profesional from IIUM and UPSI. The objectives of this study are to develop items for the instruments and validate the instrument for screening children with Asperger syndrome (SIMCAS) below 5 years old. The other objective is to generate comprehensive and integrated report for policy makers and intervention / programme providers as well as to provide insights of the degree of AS related behaviors in children at five years old and below based on statistical data and qualitative data. The objectives of having SIMCAS which is reflective of DSIMCAS study: 1. To explore preschool educators’ knowledge, skills and awareness related to children with Asperger Syndrome. 2. Identify the capability of SIMCAS in assisting educators and childcare takers in screening children with Asperger Syndrome develop and validate SIMCAS (develop and validate SIMCAS) 3. Discover the prevalence rate of potential Asperger syndrome in Malaysian children aged 5 and below. 4. Outreach information related to Asperger syndrome to educators/caregivers An instrument will be developed and is known as the Screening Instrument and Manual for Asperger Syndrome (SIMCAS). It will be validated before the real data collection. This instrument may be regarded as one of the significant contribution of this study. Since this study is based on broad field work procedures, the methodology used may contribute some background for further inquiry by researchers who are interested in special needs education.