Imitation, Visual Support and Academic Achievement among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Special Needs Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship between imitation, visual support and academic achievement among children with autism spectrum disorder in special needs schools. The study adopted a correlational survey design. Two research questions and two corresponding hypotheses were raised and formulated to guide the study. The population for this study consists of all 80 male and female pupils diagnosed with ASD in seven special needs schools in Rivers State. The research instrument that was used in this study is a modified four point Likert type scale questionnaire titled “Imitation, Visual Support and Academic Achievement Questionnaire” IVSAAQ . Cronbach Alpha statistics was used to estimate the reliability of the instrument and the reliability coefficients of 0.65 for imitation, 0.89 for visual support and 0.92 for academic achievement were obtained. Data was collected and analysed using simple regression, mean and standard deviation and independent t test at 0.05 alpha level of significance. From the data analyzed, it was found that imitation and visual support are significantly related to academic achievement among children with ASD in special needs schools. Based on these findings the following recommendations were made Teachers, caregivers, and parents of children with autism spectrum disorder ASD should encourage imitation by modelling desired behaviours or expected outcomes through demonstrating words or gestures about objects and activities the children are interested in and specifically requesting them to imitate Teachers, caregivers, and parents of children with autism spectrum disorder ASD should promote the use of visual support by using visual cues such as picture cards or toys to improve vocabulary and comprehension. These supports can be gradually withdrawn to enable the children become more independent in routines and social interaction. Ajemba, Marvis | Dr. Chujor J. Chujor "Imitation, Visual Support and Academic Achievement among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Special Needs Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-7 | Issue-1 , February 2023, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd52751.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/humanities-and-the-arts/education/52751/imitation-visual-support-and-academic-achievement-among-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-in-special-needs-schools-in-rivers-state-nigeria/ajemba-marvis