Abstract
<i>Background</i>: Autism is increasing worldwide; however, preschool teachers, who are the primary caregivers beside parents in most situations are not able to accurately detect the symptoms of autism to respond appropriately as this is of utmost importance to help provide early healthcare to autistic children. The study assessed the knowledge and perception of preschool teachers towards child autism in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipality. <i>Methods</i>: A total of 210 preschool teachers (58% females) in 8 selected communities in the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana completed questionnaires relating to their demographic characteristics, level of knowledge in typical child development, child autism, perceptions and attitudes. A cross-sectional study design was employed using a quantitative technique. The association between dependent and independent variables and were examined using univariate and multivariable analyses. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05 and analysis was performed with Stata Version 15. <i>Results</i>: The findings of the study revealed that preschool teachers had low levels of knowledge in ASD. The results also showed that preschool teachers had positive attitudes and perceptions towards education of children with autism. Finally, there was a significant association between knowledge of ASD and, attitudes and perceptions towards ASD (p<0.05). <i>Conclusion</i>: Preschool teachers generally possess low levels of knowledge about autism spectrum disorder. Even though preschool teachers have positive attitudes and perceptions towards the provision of education for autistic children, increasing their knowledge will result in a more positive attitude and perception towards other needs of autism spectrum disorder and also help in early detection of autism.
Highlights
Autism is increasing worldwide; preschool teachers, who are the primary caregivers beside parents in most situations are not able to accurately detect the symptoms of autism to respond appropriately as this is of utmost importance to help provide early healthcare to autistic children
Findings from this study revealed that majority of the participants (78.6%) had a low level of knowledge of child autism with the majority of them unable to answer accurately to half of the items in the domain of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Findings from this study corroborate findings in Africa by establishing the low awareness of child autism knowledge among the general population including preschool teachers; a population that plays a vital role in the early detection and management of autism spectrum disorder [10, 28, 29]
Summary
Autism is increasing worldwide; preschool teachers, who are the primary caregivers beside parents in most situations are not able to accurately detect the symptoms of autism to respond appropriately as this is of utmost importance to help provide early healthcare to autistic children. The study assessed the knowledge and perception of preschool teachers towards child autism in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipality. Even though preschool teachers have positive attitudes and perceptions towards the provision of education for autistic children, increasing their knowledge will result in a more positive attitude and perception towards other needs of autism spectrum disorder and help in early detection of autism. American Psychiatric Association (APA) explains Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to be a range of neurobehavioral disorders that occurs a few years after a child is born. This condition is mostly identified with difficulty in communication and relational connection, as well as repeated patterns of doing things, among others [1]. Autism Spectrum Disorder is usually accompanied by other comorbid conditions like epilepsy, anxiety, intellectual disability, etc. [7, 11,12,13]
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