Abstract:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Title: “Teachers understanding of challenging behaviours and management strategies
for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Dhaka City”.
Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate teachers understanding of challenging
behaviours and management strategies for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in
Dhaka City.
Objectives:
To investigate whether teachers understand the cause(s) of challenging
behaviour(s).
To investigate what strategies teachers use to manage challenging behaviours.
To understand how best to help teachers develop an understanding of the causes
of challenging behaviour.
Methodology: The study is based on a phenomenological qualitative research design
paradigm. Less than 2 years experiences teachers were the participants in this study.
In this study 12 samples were selected using a purposive (non-probability) sampling
technique in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Face-to-face,
structured open-ended interviews were conducted with transcripts and electronic
voice recordings taken for further analysis. Survey questions were adapted from
Dhaliwal‟s (2013) study.Content analysis specifically focused on keywords and
themes was used to initially summaries the data for later analysis.
Results: The results indicated that a significant majority of teachers did not have an
understanding of challenging behaviour‟s although they were able to name some very
basic short-term „reactive‟ management strategies. No teachers in the study were able
to describe and provide names of more complex and long-term strategies commonly
used to manage challenging behaviours. Only 6 of 12 participants recognised that
„behaviours‟ were a form of communication and those children were often trying to
„communicate‟ a message through their behaviours. Approximately 3 of 12
participants subsequently understood the role that Speech and Language Therapists
had in terms of behaviour management.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The results indicate that further training of
teachers is necessary in the areas of understanding children with ASD and
understanding challenging behaviours. The study also highlights the need for Speech
and Language Therapy to promote their services and develop an understanding within
both professionals and the general public within regards to their scope of practice
which includes working with children with ASD. From this study researcher hint is
that teachers need proper training about ASD, need to grow their confident to
applying managing strategies, should gain huge knowledge about others professionals
role in ASD, they need to consult with SLTs to enrich clear idea about ASD and the
appropriate way of applying managing strategies.
