Practices of Assessment of Behavioural Outcomes in Children with ASD in Lahore

Abstract

This study discovers current practices of assessment of behavioural outcomes in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Lahore, while having a focus on how far they are in consonance with data-based international standards. For this purpose, a descriptive qualitative research methodology was used. For research, asynchronous written semi-structured interview was shared with therapist through Google Forms. Twelve professionals were selected for participation which includes clinical psychologists, special education teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, ABA/behaviour therapists and child psychologists. The instrument was organised on four main themes: assessment tools and practices, data collection methods, reliability and validity, and cultural and ethical suitability. After collection, the data was analysed through the thematic analysis methodology. Afterwards, this study finds that therapists are using combine informal methods with a limited standardized tools. The standardized tools are inaccessible to them due to the cost, copyright, lack of Urdu versions issues. There are other data collection issues which also affects its reliability. Cultural norms are making priorities in therapies plan. This study contributes in the ongoing local evidence based dimension of ASD and it recommends for the need of a culturally adapted tools, structured training of staff and government-backed policy guidelines in order to have a consistent reliable behavioural assessment of ASD children in Pakistan.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, behavioural assessment, special education, Autism Rating Scale, Autism Assessment Tools