An exploratory study on the special education and early intervention programme for autistic children

• Main Authors: Sani, Badariah, Wan Chik, Muhmad Noor, Badzis, Mastura
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: L Education (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/31615/1/PROCEEDINGS.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/31615/; http://www.icecse2011.com
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

The objective of this paper is to explore the special education and the intervention programme for autistic children run by two Non-Governmental Organizations and identify how their programmes help autistic children improve learning disability. The methodology of this study is qualitative using a single case study. The research will be an exploratory study with a filed study on two different organizations which are currently active in helping children with learning disabilities. Semi-structured interviews and informal conversations are used to obtain the data. Findings showed that both centres used a naturalistic curriculum model where activities carried out are mostly dealing with real life activities, while topics and skills are focused on sensory skills and children are taught to use their senses and attention span. Teaching methods used are a mixture of several latest teaching techniques currently being applied worldwide for autistic children. In the early intervention programme, the teaching and learning techniques are based on the individual child’s ability. Both centres admitted that some parents play a supportive role while others play non-supportive roles. More knowledge of the learning process and learning development of autistic children as well as the teaching and early intervention strategies is needed to provide better understanding and guidance for teachers and parents or caregivers to deal with the needs of these children.