Investigating the Situation for Children with Autism and Their Families in Cambodia
Following periods of conflict and instability during the oppressive regime of the Khmer Rouge (1975–1978) and the period of Vietnamese occupation (1978–1992), the Kingdom of Cambodia has adopted policies and initiatives that aim to ensure greater equity and stability across all services in the count...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-05-01
|
| Series: | Education Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/6/565 |
| _version_ | 1797595214128349184 |
|---|---|
| author | Richard Rose Bhoomikumar Jegannathan Dalin Mong Puthy Pat Derozet Sok |
| author_facet | Richard Rose Bhoomikumar Jegannathan Dalin Mong Puthy Pat Derozet Sok |
| author_sort | Richard Rose |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Following periods of conflict and instability during the oppressive regime of the Khmer Rouge (1975–1978) and the period of Vietnamese occupation (1978–1992), the Kingdom of Cambodia has adopted policies and initiatives that aim to ensure greater equity and stability across all services in the country as a signatory to international agreements for the promotion of universal primary education (United Nations 2015). The education of children with disabilities continues to present challenges to both policy makers and service providers in Cambodia, though government agencies have made a commitment and invested resources to improve facilities and increase awareness of the difficulties experienced by children and families. Previous studies of provision for children on the autism spectrum in Cambodia suggest that they are little understood and that many experience difficulties accessing appropriate services or support. However, these reports have often been based on localised small-scale studies and have not provided a broader national perspective of the situation. A national analysis of the situation for persons with autism was conducted to provide a more detailed picture of the experiences of children with autistic spectrum disorders and their families. Data were collated using focus groups and interviews with service users and providers from a purposive stratified sample across the country. The findings reveal that a limited awareness and understanding of autism amongst both professionals and the general public has limited opportunities for development. Education facilities and expertise are limited, and access to therapeutic and specialist medical provision is poor. The pervasive nature of poverty has been a major contributory factor in the slow development of and accessibility to services to this population. A number of recommendations have been made and are being used to shape future policies for children with autism and their families in Cambodia. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:33:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-af96aecd0677458c95a90a7e373f6a03 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-7102 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:33:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Education Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-af96aecd0677458c95a90a7e373f6a032023-11-18T10:06:05ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022023-05-0113656510.3390/educsci13060565Investigating the Situation for Children with Autism and Their Families in CambodiaRichard Rose0Bhoomikumar Jegannathan1Dalin Mong2Puthy Pat3Derozet Sok4Faculty of Health Education and Society, University of Northampton, Northampton NN1 5PH, UKDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Caritas Cambodia (Caritas Centre for Child and Adolescent Health), Phnom Penh P.O. Box 123, CambodiaDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Caritas Cambodia (Caritas Centre for Child and Adolescent Health), Phnom Penh P.O. Box 123, CambodiaDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Caritas Cambodia (Caritas Centre for Child and Adolescent Health), Phnom Penh P.O. Box 123, CambodiaDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Caritas Cambodia (Caritas Centre for Child and Adolescent Health), Phnom Penh P.O. Box 123, CambodiaFollowing periods of conflict and instability during the oppressive regime of the Khmer Rouge (1975–1978) and the period of Vietnamese occupation (1978–1992), the Kingdom of Cambodia has adopted policies and initiatives that aim to ensure greater equity and stability across all services in the country as a signatory to international agreements for the promotion of universal primary education (United Nations 2015). The education of children with disabilities continues to present challenges to both policy makers and service providers in Cambodia, though government agencies have made a commitment and invested resources to improve facilities and increase awareness of the difficulties experienced by children and families. Previous studies of provision for children on the autism spectrum in Cambodia suggest that they are little understood and that many experience difficulties accessing appropriate services or support. However, these reports have often been based on localised small-scale studies and have not provided a broader national perspective of the situation. A national analysis of the situation for persons with autism was conducted to provide a more detailed picture of the experiences of children with autistic spectrum disorders and their families. Data were collated using focus groups and interviews with service users and providers from a purposive stratified sample across the country. The findings reveal that a limited awareness and understanding of autism amongst both professionals and the general public has limited opportunities for development. Education facilities and expertise are limited, and access to therapeutic and specialist medical provision is poor. The pervasive nature of poverty has been a major contributory factor in the slow development of and accessibility to services to this population. A number of recommendations have been made and are being used to shape future policies for children with autism and their families in Cambodia.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/6/565autismCambodiaeducationconflictpoverty |
| spellingShingle | Richard Rose Bhoomikumar Jegannathan Dalin Mong Puthy Pat Derozet Sok Investigating the Situation for Children with Autism and Their Families in Cambodia Education Sciences autism Cambodia education conflict poverty |
| title | Investigating the Situation for Children with Autism and Their Families in Cambodia |
| title_full | Investigating the Situation for Children with Autism and Their Families in Cambodia |
| title_fullStr | Investigating the Situation for Children with Autism and Their Families in Cambodia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating the Situation for Children with Autism and Their Families in Cambodia |
| title_short | Investigating the Situation for Children with Autism and Their Families in Cambodia |
| title_sort | investigating the situation for children with autism and their families in cambodia |
| topic | autism Cambodia education conflict poverty |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/6/565 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT richardrose investigatingthesituationforchildrenwithautismandtheirfamiliesincambodia AT bhoomikumarjegannathan investigatingthesituationforchildrenwithautismandtheirfamiliesincambodia AT dalinmong investigatingthesituationforchildrenwithautismandtheirfamiliesincambodia AT puthypat investigatingthesituationforchildrenwithautismandtheirfamiliesincambodia AT derozetsok investigatingthesituationforchildrenwithautismandtheirfamiliesincambodia |