The purpose of the proposed project is to explore the factors that contribute to positive outcomes in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism often causes problems of communication and behavior among children. The developmental disorder which occurs within the first two years of development affects the ability of children to communicate, read, write, and understand concepts taught at school (Vivanti, Prior, Williams and Dissanayake, 2014). It prevents children from functioning properly at school and other areas of life. The proposed project helps to unveil some of the factors that may enable children with autism to learn and develop effectively through their childhood to adulthood. Thus, the project is essential to help parents and teachers to develop strategies and methods of improving the functional and behavioral outcomes of children with ASD.
The project involves a complex process because it requires a primary study of children through their learning. The researcher also needs to carry out a comprehensive research on existing literature and empirical studies to understand theories that explain the observed behaviors of children with autism. The process of identifying the sample of children with autism to participate in the study is lengthy and tedious. The study of human populations is also a complex process because some of the participants may not be willing to participate (Matson, Mahan and Matson, 2009). Furthermore, understanding the needs and interests of children with autism is difficult; hence the researcher is required to conduct a thorough research to understand the behaviors of the participants. However, the project will involve parents and teachers to help the researcher in understanding the behaviors and needs of children with autism.
The availability of resources is also a challenge to any research, but the proposed project will involve proper planning to ensure that all required materials are gathered before the research process begins (Westwood, 2015). The study will need writing materials, photographs, recorders, and learning aids to help in collecting information about the functioning and behavior of children with ASD. The study will also need financial resources to buy materials and pay for services such as research assistants and printing services. These resources are easily available, but they need proper planning and budgeting to ensure that they are delivered on time with the right quantities.
The sample of children with autism is readily available because there are several schools that deal with students with such conditions. The researcher will identify some of the schools with children with disabilities and collaborate with the school administration to collect data from the children and their teachers and parents (Matson and Wilkins, 2007). However, the challenge associated with the sample and methods of collecting data is cost and time.
The cost of conducting research in schools may incur a lot of costs and time. The costs include the costs of materials required to observe and record data about the participants. Children with autism have unstable behaviors, so they may not provide sufficient information with normal methods such as survey. Therefore, the researcher may need to buy cameras, recorders, and computers with special software to collect information. Children with autism may also need learning aids to demonstrate their abilities and improve their learning outcomes (Vivanti et al, 2014). Therefore, several materials should be purchased to help children with autism to provide the required answers to the research questions. The process will also take time because children with autism may not respond quickly in the expected manner like normal children. This challenge would be overcome by using proper time management and planning to ensure that all aspects of the research are addressed within the required time. Parents and teachers will also provide support to reduce the time and costs spent in the study.
References
Matson, M. L., Mahan, S., " Matson, J. L. (October 01, 2009). Parent training: A review of methods for children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3(4), 868-875.
Matson, J. L., " Wilkins, J. (January 01, 2007). A critical review of assessment targets and methods for social skills excesses and deficits for children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 1(1), 28-37.
Vivanti, G., Prior, M., Williams, K., and Dissanayake, C. (2014). Predictors of Outcomes in Autism Early Intervention: Why Don’t We Know More? Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2(58), 1-10.
Westwood, P. (2015). Commonsense Methods for Children with Special Educational Needs. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.
