THE NEEDS OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN MUSCAT GOVERNORATE, SULTANATE OF OMAN

The study discussed the cognitive and skill needs for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, in the Sultanate of Oman. The problem was: that having a child with autism disorder; It causes the whole family great difficulties and pressures that may lead to its cracking. And those parents suffer from a lack of knowledge and skills in dealing with the situation and raising their children. The autistic child and all his family members are in dire need of special care. Therefore, the study aimed to respond to the cognitive needs related to the ability of parents. In the early identification and diagnosis of autism disorder, understanding the nature of the disorder, and providing them with the skill of dealing with the situation in order to alleviate the suffering of the affected child and his siblings. The study adopted the quantitative method. The study population consisted of (550) parents of children in (9) centers in Muscat Governorate. A random sample of (226) parents was selected according to the Gresty and Morgan schedule. Quantitative data was collected from parents, using a questionnaire designed by the researcher, which contained (60) statements distributed in three axes. Statistical methods: constructive validity, alpha coefficient to measure reliability, descriptive analysis to extract arithmetic means and standard deviations. The results of the study showed: The cognitive and skill needs of parents of autistic children. The parents' need for early identification of the condition was very high, amounting to 97.5%. The need to understand the condition and how to deal with it came to a great degree. There are statistically significant differences at the level of significance (0.05) between the dimensions of the study due to the age variable in favor of the age group (more than 40 years). There are no statistically significant differences between the dimensions of the study due to the variables of the study: (gender, academic qualification, economic level).

The study discussed the cognitive and skill needs for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, in the Sultanate of Oman. The problem was: that having a child with autism disorder; It causes the whole family great difficulties and pressures that may lead to its cracking. And those parents suffer from a lack of knowledge and skills in dealing with the situation and raising their children. The autistic child and all his family members are in dire need of special care. Therefore, the study aimed to respond to the cognitive needs related to the ability of parents. In the early identification and diagnosis of autism disorder, understanding the nature of the disorder, and providing them with the skill of dealing with the situation in order to alleviate the suffering of the affected child and his siblings. The study adopted the quantitative method. The study population consisted of (550) parents of children in (9) centers in Muscat Governorate. A random sample of (226) parents was selected according to the Gresty and Morgan schedule. Quantitative data was collected from parents, using a questionnaire designed by the researcher, which contained (60) statements distributed in three axes. Statistical methods: constructive validity, alpha coefficient to measure reliability, descriptive analysis to extract arithmetic means and standard deviations. The results of the study showed: The cognitive and skill needs of parents of autistic children. The parents' need for early identification of the condition was very high, amounting to 97.5%. The need to understand the condition and how to deal with it came to a great degree. There are statistically significant differences at the level of significance (0.05) between the dimensions of the study due to the age variable in favor of the age group (more than 40 years). There are no statistically significant differences between the dimensions of the study due to the variables of the study: (gender, academic qualification, economic level).