Department of Business management (BM)

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    An Analysis of Approaches Used to Train Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders Human Occupation Skills in Selected Special units, Mombasa County, Kenya
    (Journal of Popular Education in Africa, 2019-01-01) Mange, Daniel Mbirithi; Macmbinji, Vincent O.; Mjomba, Ndung’u Lewis
    This study aimed at finding out the instructional strategies used to train learners with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) human occupation skills. It was intended to establish whether teachers of children with ASD have adequate knowledge and skills to determine the educational needs of learners with ASD. It also investigated the existing instructional methods used in educating children with ASD human occupation skills, and established the level of awareness among teachers on the characteristics of learners with ASD. The stud employed quantitative approach. The target population was 435 respondents, 90 teachers and 345 learners with special needs. The sample comprised of 15 teachers and 30 pupils. Questionnaires were used to collect data from teachers. The researcher used an observation checklist to check the approaches used by teachers in training human occupations and characteristics exhibited by learners with ASD. Content validity will be determined by experts in the field of special needs. The tools were piloted in special units in Kilifi County, Kenya to determine their reliability. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Data was presented in graphs and tables. The study also found out that majority of the teachers preferred using Individualized Education Plan to train learner in human occupation skills. Further, the study found out that there were inadequate teachers trained in human occupation skills as well as managing learners with autism. The study found out that majority of the learners with autism had echolalia and lack of control of emotion and throwing tantrums. The study recommends that Ministry of Education Science & Technology should employ more teachers trained in Special Needs Education in special schools, review curriculum for teacher training colleges to inculcate management for learners with specific conditions such as ASD and more in-service training on special needs teachers regarding approaches for training learners with ASD.
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    Integrated therapy approach for children with autism spectrum disorder: case of Mombasa County, Kenya
    (Journal of Popular Education in Africa, 2019-12-01) Macmbinji, Vincent O.
    The focus of this study was integrated therapy approach for children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is a critical issue in as far as its diagnoses and management are concerned. Lack of early diagnoses and intervention makes a mockery of the stated developmental milestones that the children with autism are supposed to achieve. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate integrated therapy approach for children with autism spectrum disorder in Mombasa County, Kenya. The sample size comprised 60 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, 40 children with autism spectrum disorder and 20 occupational therapists. The total sample was one hundred (120) participants. The sample size was determined using specific random sampling methods. Data collected was done using questionnaires, an observation guide. Questionnaires were distributed to parents of children with autism spectrum disorder who are also members of Unleashing Potential in Autism (UPIA) whereas the observation guide was used to check the frequency of behaviours. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. SPSS was used in analyzing quantitative data. The qualitative data was informative in explaining and clarifying the quantitative data from questionnaires. Results of data analysis were presented using frequency distribution tables, bar graphs, and pie charts. The study established that social and communication, disruptive and stereotypic behaviours were the most prevalent behaviour among children with autism spectrum disorder. Stigmatization and discrimination from the community were found to be the major factors leading to low perception of parents with children with autism. There was emphasis on the use of swings, trampoline and Picture Exchange Communication System as an integrated therapy technique. Lack of support from the government, financial constraints and adequate equipment were the main challenges faced in implementation of integrated therapy approach. The study recommends that Ministry of Education Science & Technology in collaboration with Ministry of Health to conduct an awareness campaign on integrated therapy approach, community based rehabilitation programs should be initiated. A transformational approach should be implemented to make sure that all stakeholders in various special needs centres (occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologists, counsellors and speech and language practitioners) are fully involved in setting and reviewing policy guideline on integrated therapy approach for children with special needs.