Effect of types of educational institutions on social communication functions among children with autism spectrum disorder:an observation study / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore changes in the social interactions of school aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) enrolled in ordinary schools and special education institutions during a one year observation period.@*Methods@#A total of 44 children with ASD were recruited from the Research Center of Children and Adolescent Psychological and Behavioral Development in the Department of Public Health, Sun Yat sen University, during 2017 and 2018. At the baseline and follow up periods, a self report questionnaire (completed by parents) was administered in order to collect demographic information related to the children, the survey included the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorder (SCARED) and the Swan son Nolan and Pelham, Version IV Scale(SNAP-IV).@*Results@#At baseline, compared with children in ordinary schools, the total score of SRS (114.56±6.02, 93.63 ±3.82) and its subscale scores (social awareness13.54±0.71, 11.02±0.45; social cognition22.73±1.16, 18.19±0.73; social interaction37.47±2.12, 30.40±1.35; autistic mannerisms 23.11±1.70, 19.02±1.08) were higher in children attending special education institutions, as well as the SCQ total score (20.37±1.60, 12.92±1.02) and its subscale scores(social interaction domain8.77±0.92, 4.23±0.58; social communication domain6.07±0.55, 4.19±0.35)( P <0.05). Further comparison of baseline and follow up results showed no significant difference in time effect or in the interaction between time and the educational environment( P >0.05).@*Conclusion@#Compared with special education institutions, school aged children with ASD in ordinary schools had lower levels of social impairment. During the one year observation period, there was no correlation between the educational environment and changes in symptoms of children and their parents. Parents should choose an appropriate educational environment according to the children s abilities, and ordinary schools and teachers should be prepared for inclusive education.