Knowledge Regarding Autism among Pre School Teachers of Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a diverse group of conditions. They are characterized by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication. The aim of study is to find the level of knowledge among preschool teacher. Methodology: Purposive sampling was taken to find out knowledge level of preschool teachers in Kathmandu. Analysis: Both descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze the data. Socio demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics Chi. Square test was used at 95% Confidence Interval where p value<0.05 be considered statistically significant to find significance of difference in level of knowledge. Chi-square test to determine the association between level of knowledge and selected demographic variables and source of information Results and Discussion: All respondents were female. The highest score was only 19. Near to one third of respondents i.e. 32.9% had poor knowledge, one fourth of respondents i.e. 25% had average knowledge on ASD and only 42.1 % of respondents had good level of knowledge on ASD. Mean score was only 10.5 in this study where the total score was 31. Conclusion: The knowledge of preschool teachers on ASD is not adequate. All most all respondents were female. Training on disability and ASD was not taken by majority respondents.