The Significance of Formal Training in Changing the Language Behavior Patterns of Autistic Children in Pakistan

Abstract

Autism is a complex neuro-behavioral condition or disorder that includes impairment in social interaction, developmental language, and communication skills combined with rigid, repetitive behaviors. Autistic children need trained caregivers to help them strive in the competitive world. Even though nothing cures Autism, early interventions applying both behavior modification and skills training have proven to work remarkably. It also elevates the chances of an autistic learner to attend a regular school and participate in regular activities. In Pakistan, many diagnosed autistic are left at home because their families are afraid of being stereotyped, carrying false beliefs, or having financial issues leading to deteriorated life conditions. A sample of 20 Autistic students was selected using Convenient Sampling from Lahore, out of which 10 children were school-going and 10 were kept at home for varied reasons. A mixed-method approach was applied to this research. The same ASD assessment scale was used on both school-going and non-school-going autistics and their results were quantitatively analyzed using column charts later a qualitative analysis was drawn to understand the different therapies being applied to school-going autistics, how they benefit from that, how non-school-going autistics are attended to and what are the reasons for their parent’s reluctance to send them to special schools despite the diagnosis. The results showed that school-going autistics were doing a lot better with a remarkable difference in their behavior from the time they were enrolled in the school. With the help of a schedule and therapies, a lot of their behavior; social, and speech problems were resolved. Hence, the conclusion suggests that there are a lot of myths and misconceptions in the minds of parents in Pakistan leading to their Autistic child being kept at home. There is a dire need for autism awareness and more research on Pakistani autistics to bring about more functional autistics.