Autism Among Pupils in Inclusive Primary Schools, Issues and Challenges. A Case of Kibulgen Zone, Eldoret West District in Kenya

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate the challenges faced by pupils vvith autism u1 selected inclusive primary schools of Kibulgen zone, Eldoret West district of Kenya. The follmving objectives guided the study; to assess of prevalence of pupils Vith autis1n in inclusive primary schools; to examine the challenges facing pupils with autisn1, and to investigate the challenges which the children with autisn1 face at school. The studv _, utilized teachers as respondents, forty of them Vere sampled from ten primary schools, randomly. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the study. Findings indicated that teachers accepted that special training for regular teachers is necessary so as to be able to cope ,vell with the 111entall_v retarded learners. This is clearly indicated by the entire respondent said yes. This brings the idea that no regular teacher is able to handle these learners well unless one is trained in special need education. Recommendations also were made like In- service prograin1nes and distant education should be emphasized so that large scopes of teachers are reached. Creating awareness through se1ninars and ,vorkshops to parents, teachers and con1111unity at large on matters pertaining education of n1entally retarded children.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATl(JN ........................................................................................................ i

APPROVAL ............................................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION ......................................................................................................... iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...................................................................................... i

TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................

LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................. ii

ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................ viii

CHAPTER ONE ...................................................................................................... I

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................ l

1.1 Background to the study ........................................................................ l

1.2 Statement or problem .............................................................................. 3

1.3 Purpose of the study ................................................................................ 3

1.4 Objectives of the study ............................................................................ 3

1.5 Research questions ................................................................................... 4

I .6 Scope or the study ..................................................................................... 4

1 .7 Significances ............................................................................................... 4

CHAPTER TWO ..................................................................................................... 6

LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................... 6

CHAPTER THREE .............................................................................................. 1-t

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ........................................................................ 1-4

3.0 Introduction .............................................................................................. 14

3. 1 Research design ...................................................................................... 14

3.2 Study population ..................................................................................... 14

3.3 Sample rrameork .................................................................................. 14

3.3.1 San1ple size ............................................................................................ 14

3.3.2 Sample technique ................................................................................ 14

V

3.4 Methods of data collection ................................................................... 15

3.4. l Instruments .......................................................................................... 15

3.4.2 Source or data ...................................................................................... 15

3.4.3 Data collection procedure ................................................................. 15

3.5 Data processing and analysis ............................................................. 15

3.6 Li111itations ................................................................................................. 16

CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................................. 16

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ........... 17

4.0 Introduction .............................................................................................. 17

4.1 Prevalence of autistic children in prirnar~· schools ...................... 17

4. 1. l People with knmvleclge on special need education ................... 18

4.2 Challenges facing pupils with autism .............................................. 19

CHAPTER FIVE ................................................................................................... 2-l

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

................................................................................................................................... ')4

5.0 Introduction .............................................................................................. 24

5. 1 Summary or findings .............................................................................. 24

5.2 Co11cll1sion ................................................................................................. 2()

5.3 Recommendations ................................................................................... 26

REFERENCES ...................................................................................................... 28

APPENDICES ........................................................................................................ 29

Appendix I: Teachers' questionnaire ............................................................. 29