Autism Spectrum Disorder And Significant Behavioral Changes

Abstract

Objective: In order to determine common triggers or correlated causes of behavioral changes (e.g., puberty, environment, co-morbidities, therapeutic interventions), the study's primary goal is to investigate the type and degree of significant behavioral changes among people with autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, the study will evaluate how well the present methods of behavior management used by professionals and caregivers are working.

Methods: This study will use a cross-sectional descriptive approach to evaluate the noteworthy behavioral alterations seen in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the factors that contribute to those alterations. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the cross-sectional approach allows the researcher to gather information from a large number of participants at one time, giving a glimpse of the patterns and degree of behavioral differences among people with ASD across different age groups, severity levels, and sociocultural contexts.

Results: The study included 450 participants. The most frequent Child’s Age among them was 3-5 years old (n=167, 37.1%), followed by 6-10 years old (n=156, 34.7%), then 0-2 years old (n=99, 22%), at least 11-16 years old (n=28, 6.2%). The most frequent Child gender among study participants was male (n=237, 52.7 %) and female (n=213, 47.3%). The most frequent child with autism spectrum disorder among study participants was No (n=401, 89.1%), followed by Yes (n=49, 10.9%). Educational level of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among study participants, the majority were Postgraduate (n=31, 63.3%), followed by Secondary (n=13, 26.5%), then Primary (n=5, 10.2%). Employment Status of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among study participants, most of them were Employed Full-Time (n=34, 69.4%), followed by Housewife (n=8, 16.3%), then Part-Time (n=4, 8.2%), and at least Unemployed (n=8, 16.3%). The participants were asked how the child was diagnosed with ASD, most of them answered Pediatrician (n=21, 42.9%), followed by Psychologist (n=14, 28.6%), then Neurologist (n=3, 6.1%). Participants were asked Did cultural or social stigma delay seeking medical help, most of them answered no (n=34, 69.4%), followed by not sure (n=10, 20.4%), then yes (n=5, 10.2%). Participants were asked Do you feel stress in managing your child’s behavior. The most frequent were occasionally (n=24, 49%), followed by rarely (n=13, 26.5%), then frequently (n=9, 18.4%), and never (n=3, 6.1%). Participants were asked, about Does your child attend a special education center/school. The most frequent were yes (n=26, 53.1%), then no (n=18, 36.7%), and planning to enroll (n=5, 10.2%). Participants were asked Has your child shown behavioral improvement with therapy; Most reported Significant improvement (n=19, 38.8%), followed by Moderate improvement (n=16, 32.7%), then no noticeable change (n=14, 28.6%).

Conclusion: The results showed significant associations between children's behavioral outcomes and several factors, including age, age at diagnosis, parental education, employment status, and method of diagnosis. These findings indicate that demographic and diagnostic characteristics influence behavioral patterns in children with ASD. In contrast, no significant relationship was found with gender.