Knowledge and perception regarding autism among primary school teachers: A cross-sectional survey from Pakistan, South Asia

Background: Early detection and intervention seem to improve development in autistic children, and teachers form an important part of their early social environment. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess baseline knowledge and misconceptions regarding autism among school teachers and...

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Main Authors: Adil Ayub, Buria Naeem, Wajahat Nazir Ahmed, Suraksha Srichand, Komal Aziz, Brooj Abro, Sehrish Najam, Duraiz Murtaza, Ali Ahmed Janjua, Sara Ali, Imtiaz Jehan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Community Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijcm.org.in/article.asp?issn=0970-0218;year=2017;volume=42;issue=3;spage=177;epage=179;aulast=Ayub
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author Adil Ayub
Buria Naeem
Wajahat Nazir Ahmed
Suraksha Srichand
Komal Aziz
Brooj Abro
Sehrish Najam
Duraiz Murtaza
Ali Ahmed Janjua
Sara Ali
Imtiaz Jehan
author_facet Adil Ayub
Buria Naeem
Wajahat Nazir Ahmed
Suraksha Srichand
Komal Aziz
Brooj Abro
Sehrish Najam
Duraiz Murtaza
Ali Ahmed Janjua
Sara Ali
Imtiaz Jehan
author_sort Adil Ayub
collection DOAJ
description Background: Early detection and intervention seem to improve development in autistic children, and teachers form an important part of their early social environment. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess baseline knowledge and misconceptions regarding autism among school teachers and evaluate factors influencing their knowledge. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey enrolling primary school teachers using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Seventy-three teachers (mean age of 34 years, 66% females) responded. Gaps in awareness and knowledge were found. About 52 (71.2%) teachers identified themselves as having some knowledge about autism, with 23 (44.2%) among this group understanding autism as a neurological/mental disorder. The majority (73.1%) believe that special education is a helpful intervention. The only significant factor that influenced knowledge among teachers was attendance of behavioral classes (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Results suggest that teachers have an inadequate understanding of autism due to several misconceptions. This calls for increased education of teachers with regard to autism and other childhood disorders.
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spelling doaj.art-923f1a59a1ea4528b84193f44759da002022-12-22T01:58:26ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Community Medicine0970-02181998-35812017-01-0142317717910.4103/ijcm.IJCM_121_16Knowledge and perception regarding autism among primary school teachers: A cross-sectional survey from Pakistan, South AsiaAdil AyubBuria NaeemWajahat Nazir AhmedSuraksha SrichandKomal AzizBrooj AbroSehrish NajamDuraiz MurtazaAli Ahmed JanjuaSara AliImtiaz JehanBackground: Early detection and intervention seem to improve development in autistic children, and teachers form an important part of their early social environment. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess baseline knowledge and misconceptions regarding autism among school teachers and evaluate factors influencing their knowledge. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey enrolling primary school teachers using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Seventy-three teachers (mean age of 34 years, 66% females) responded. Gaps in awareness and knowledge were found. About 52 (71.2%) teachers identified themselves as having some knowledge about autism, with 23 (44.2%) among this group understanding autism as a neurological/mental disorder. The majority (73.1%) believe that special education is a helpful intervention. The only significant factor that influenced knowledge among teachers was attendance of behavioral classes (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Results suggest that teachers have an inadequate understanding of autism due to several misconceptions. This calls for increased education of teachers with regard to autism and other childhood disorders.http://www.ijcm.org.in/article.asp?issn=0970-0218;year=2017;volume=42;issue=3;spage=177;epage=179;aulast=AyubAutismknowledgeprimary school teachers
spellingShingle Adil Ayub
Buria Naeem
Wajahat Nazir Ahmed
Suraksha Srichand
Komal Aziz
Brooj Abro
Sehrish Najam
Duraiz Murtaza
Ali Ahmed Janjua
Sara Ali
Imtiaz Jehan
Knowledge and perception regarding autism among primary school teachers: A cross-sectional survey from Pakistan, South Asia
Indian Journal of Community Medicine
Autism
knowledge
primary school teachers
title Knowledge and perception regarding autism among primary school teachers: A cross-sectional survey from Pakistan, South Asia
title_full Knowledge and perception regarding autism among primary school teachers: A cross-sectional survey from Pakistan, South Asia
title_fullStr Knowledge and perception regarding autism among primary school teachers: A cross-sectional survey from Pakistan, South Asia
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge and perception regarding autism among primary school teachers: A cross-sectional survey from Pakistan, South Asia
title_short Knowledge and perception regarding autism among primary school teachers: A cross-sectional survey from Pakistan, South Asia
title_sort knowledge and perception regarding autism among primary school teachers a cross sectional survey from pakistan south asia
topic Autism
knowledge
primary school teachers
url http://www.ijcm.org.in/article.asp?issn=0970-0218;year=2017;volume=42;issue=3;spage=177;epage=179;aulast=Ayub
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