Utilisation of Applied Behaviour Analysis Intervention In the Management and Education of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders in Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the utilisation of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) as a management and educational intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Ghana. The qualitative case study design with purposive and convenient sampling technique was employed to sample 19 participants. Semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from participants. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The finding revealed that ABA intervention is yielding positive impacts on the children receiving the intervention in Ghana. It was found out that children receiving the ABA intervention were able to perform tasks independently, gained mastery of self-help skills, social skills, motor skills, communication and attention. Additionally, they experience declined in challenging behaviours. Teachers indicated that ABA had equipped them with skills to be able to manage children with ASD. Family stress, worry and workload of parents were reduced. The findings further revealed that acceptability of ABA in Ghana increased among parents due to its positive results and modification done in ABA techniques by practitioners to modify programmes to suit the Ghanaian context. Participants also expressed satisfaction with the appropriateness of ABA techniques used. Lack of resources and high of cost running the intervention were found to be factors affecting the dissemination of ABA in Ghana. The study recommended that the government of Ghana through the Ministries of Education and Health should adopt ABA as treatment for ASD in Ghana. Finally, it was recommended that universities running Special Education programmes should include ABA in their training curriculum and greater focus should also be given to research in this area.