Behavioral Pattern of the Children with Autism, Its Impact on the Family, and the Overall Coping Strategies: A Study on the Autistic Children of a Specialized School in Dhaka City

Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that a wide degree of variation in the way it affects people. Autism is not a single disorder, but a spectrum of closely related disorders with a shared core of symptoms. Every individual on the autism spectrum has problems to some degree with social skills, empathy, communication, and flexible behavior. But the level of disability and combination of symptoms varies tremendously from person to person. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also makes sense how they make sense of the world around them. It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all autistic person share certain difficulties. Their condition will affect them in different ways. Some autistic people are able to live relatively independents lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People on the autism spectrum may also experience over or under sensitivity to sound touch, tastes, smells, light or colors.
The general purpose of this study was to know about the situation and experience of autistic children in a family of Bangladesh especially in Dhaka city. The core objectives of this study is to know the behavioral pattern of the children with autism, the impact of their autism on the family and the overall adjustment strategies. Qualitative research approach has been used to conduct the study. Case study method was used as the main method to conduct the study. The autistic children were the case in conducting the study. Society for the Welfare of Autistic Children- SWAC was used as the source of data collection. In-depth interview, focus group discussion (FGD) and document study was used as methods of data collection. A guideline for the interview schedule was used in collecting data from the respondents.

The study showed that the behavioral pattern of autistic children differs from place to place. Autistic children’s pattern of behavior is different in considering the behavior of a normal child. For their spectrum disorders they show aggressive behavior, impulsive behavior, anger toward people surrounding them. Adjustment to autistic children is not an easy task. Parents in this study expressed how difficult it was to take care of their children. Most of them, especially the younger parents complained that their autistic children could not do anything for themselves. Different autistic school provides intensive individualized instruction to individuals with autism, targeting the broad range of educational, behavioral, social, communication, daily living, cognitive and motor dysfunctions that affect them, in a single integrated setting.
Children with autism face a variety of challenge that can significantly negatively impact on parent and family functioning. Also, it can create significant stress throughout all family members. Thus, social and communication deficits effect on total family members. Emotionally and financially the families of autistic children become exhausted. ASD can evidently have a potential impact on the child and the functioning of whole family

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