ABSTRACT
Background. The pandemic is having a significant impact on mental health, especially in vulnerable groups. Method. A conditional analysis was carried out with a population of 185 people. The study population did not have any psychiatric diagnosis, they are people without autism. The age of the participants ranges between 18 and 72 years (M = 31.43;SD = 16.26). The mediating role of autistic traits and the moderating role of age between the emotional impact of the pan-demic and depressive symptoms are analyzed. Results. The results demonstrate a significant influence of age and emo-tional impact of the pandemic on the depressive symptoms. The mediating variable autistic traits was also significant. Conclusions. These results point to the younger population with autistic traits as particularly vulnerable.
ABSTRACT
The present study examined whether parental involvement within the framework of the parent-teacher relationship as established through Conjoint Behavior Consultation (CBC) enhances the academic achievement of students diagnosed with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD). Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, this study began with the intervention group learning via a hybrid model and control group learning virtually. Unavoidable complications mid study caused an alteration of the instructional model for some students in the control group which altered the variables for that group and overall results showed growth in academic achievement from May to June. Through visual analysis, results revealed additional progress of the intervention group beginning in February. This demonstrates that by addressing interfering behaviors of students diagnosed with HFASD, this increased their availability to learn which resulted in increased academic progress on math, reading and writing goals, as compared to a control group who did not receive the CBC intervention. For students in the intervention group, out of 18 total goals,10 were mastered compared to the control group that mastered only five goals by the end of the school year. This study provides teachers and consultants with sufficient evidence that CBC is an effective intervention to increase the academic achievement in students diagnosed with HFASD and of the importance of establishing a collaborative home-school relationship. Future research can utilize the results of this current study to determine whether the addition of CBC as an intervention added to the program for students with HFASD could result in future mainstreaming opportunities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has become more prevalent globally. The disorder is predominantly characterised by low social skills noted explicitly in people with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD). The individuals usually possess a normal or superior intelligence quotient (IQ) but the disability impedes the achievement of their actual high potential, hence compromising their quality of life (QoL). Managing adversities encountered by children with HFASD often compromises the QoL of the entire family. Thus, this study aimed to identify specific domains of QoL among mothers of high-functioning autistic adolescents. The study assessed seven mothers of adolescents with HFASD using a semi-structured interview format. A thematic qualitative analysis was conducted to analyse the data. The results suggested that mothers perceived their QoL based on physical and emotional well-being, material well-being, interpersonal relationship, and environmental well-being. Intervention for HFASD is multidisciplinary, which targets a broad spectrum of symptoms and skills deficits and customises the programme to meet each individual's different needs. Nonetheless, intervention facilities in Malaysia are seriously limited, particularly in supporting QoL for children with HFASD. Therefore, by identifying the domains of QoL would improve the mothers' resilience in raising their children with HFASD.