ERIC Number: EJ1219828
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Jul
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Feasibility of a Trauma-Informed Parent-Teacher Cooperative Training Program for Syrian Refugee Children with Autism
Dababnah, Sarah; Habayeb, Serene; Bear, Benjamin J.; Hussein, Dana
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v23 n5 p1300-1310 Jul 2019
Although the number of Syrians affected by the civil war rises, little work has been done to address the needs of Syrian refugee children with autism spectrum disorder. This research aimed to test the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally sensitive intervention developed specifically for children with autism spectrum disorder affected by trauma. Local partners advised the program team on cultural norms. Nine parents and 11 teachers were recruited to participate in 12-week parent--teacher cooperatives in a large Turkish city. We used qualitative methods to analyze interviews with each participant after intervention completion. A total of 14 participants completed the program (70%). All interviewees were women and Syrian refugees. Local political events, transportation costs and safety, and illnesses impacted attrition and attendance. All participants were satisfied with program content, including gains in autism knowledge, behavior management skills, and social support. Program-related challenges included applying skills to nonverbal children. The majority of participants made recommendations for program improvement, including a need for services outside urban areas. Flexible program delivery methods, including online options, might better accommodate participants unable to travel due to distance, political unrest, or safety. More research is needed to rigorously test program outcomes and to evaluate efforts to train local program leaders.
Descriptors: Trauma, Parent Teacher Cooperation, Program Effectiveness, Refugees, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Children, Foreign Countries, Intervention, Females, Parent Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Cultural Relevance, Family Programs, Conflict, Institutional Cooperation, Community Services, Caregiver Training
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2814
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Syria; Maryland (Baltimore); Turkey
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A