Educational Diagnosis Of Symptoms Of Autistic Disorder In Children With Learning Disabilities In Public Primary Schools In Oyo State Nigeria

Abstract

The presentation of autism in children with learning disabilities was investigated in a survey of 637 pupils. The study\'s hypothesis was that since autism is biologically determined, symptoms of autism (social interaction, communication and imagination impairments) would be found at the same level in pupils with mild, moderate and severe learning disabilities. Analysis of variance was used to test the hypothesis set at 0.05 alpha level. The result showed that autistic symptoms were found at varied levels in children with learning disabilities. Significant differences existed as observed F values were (F2, 636 = 80.77, P<0.05) for social interaction impairment; (F2, 636 = 40,34, P<0.05) communication; and (F2, 636 = 7.47, P<0.05) imagination impairment. The study revealed that children with autistic symptoms are also found among children with learning disabilities in regular primary schools. The implication of this to the education of children with learning disabilities and autism was also discussed.

International Journal of emotiaonl psychology and sport ethics Vol. 8 2006: pp. 1-11