Opinions of Turkish Parents and Teachers About Safety Skills Instruction to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Investigation

Sirin N., TEKİN İFTAR E.

JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS, vol.46, no.8, pp.2653-2665, 2016 (SSCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 46 Issue: 8
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10803-016-2809-2
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.2653-2665
  • Keywords: Autism spectrum disorders, Safety skills, Opinions of parents, Opinions of teachers, UNITED-STATES, SEXUAL-ABUSE, INJURIES, STUDENTS, PREVENTION, ADULTS
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Safety skills instruction should be regarded as one of the important teaching areas. A descriptive study was designed to reveal the opinions of Turkish parents and teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders regarding safety skills instruction. Data were collected through interview and analyzed descriptively. Findings showed that (a) both parents and teachers were able to define safety skills, (b) they found safety skills instruction important and necessary, (c) rather than providing systematic instruction they use natural occurrences as teaching opportunities and prevention behaviors, (d) parents have never had a conversation with teachers about safety skills instruction, and (e) neither parents nor teachers have enough knowledge and experience for teaching safety skills. Implications for implementing safety training are discussed.