Teachers' knowledge and perception towards children with an autism spectrum disorder

• Selvaganapathi G Seremban Prison, Malaysian Prison Department, Home Ministry, Malaysia
• Jinat Ahmed J, Mathialagan AG, Azra N, Kularaja k2, MHM Nazmul, KumaraswamyK, Thirupatharao V Department of Post-Graduate Studies, Perdana University, Malaysia
• Dinesh M SP Care Group, Health Care, Malaysia
• Harikrishnan T Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hospital Tunku Ampuan Rahimah, Ministry of Health, Malaysia.

Abstract

This study aims to assess teacher’s knowledge and perception towards children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was done by using convenient sampling. Respondents that fulfill the inclusion & exclusion criteria were sent online validated questionnaire, data were analyzed using SPSS. As a result, only a few of the respondents have good knowledge of autism, however, more have a positive attitude towards autism. In conclusion, we found that teachers did, in fact, recognize their own lack of knowledge of ASD and this awareness co-existed with an interest in increasing their knowledge and skills in this area.