A systematic review of the thesis on language and communication skills of individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

αThis study is a content analysis study in which thesis indexed in YOK National Thesis Center of Turkey about teaching language and communication skills in autism spectrum disorder are examined in terms of various variables. For this purpose, 17 open-access theses were obtained based on an extensive search and examined. The results of the research were arranged according to sub-problems and presented in descriptive form as frequency and percentage tables. This study aims to determine the current trends in the postgraduate thesis written on teaching language and communication skills to individuals with ASD between the years of 2014 and 2019. The postgraduate thesis were analyzed based on previously determined content analysis criteria including year of publication, thesis level, title of thesis supervisor, university, institute, department, research method, participants, number of native and foreign references, location and research subject. When the needs of families with children with autism spectrum disorder or at risk are considered in our country, it is clearly seen how much work is needed and how important these studies are. Supporting teaching practices that take into account the individual differences of individuals with autism, conducting new researches and comparing the results, will develop new perspectives and contribute to the literature.