Parent's perspective of children with autism in north - eastern region of Thailand about requirements and factors involved caring children

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of the parents of children with autistic in upper north - eastern region of Thailand about the factors involved in caring for their children including the needs of learning support. Questionnaires were used in the investigation. The statistics for data analysis were percentage, standard deviation and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study found that most of the parents of the children with autistic were female and they had over 7 years experience in taking care of their children with autistic. More than half of them separated from extended family to live individually and spent all 24 hours with their children. Most of the children with autistic (62.5%) lived with their father and mother. The first 3 highest factors affected to the caring for children with autistic were learning support, home environments and parenting styles (x̅ = 3.72, 3.52 and 3.44 respectively). For learning support factors, the highest average was materials used in hospital to practice and assess the children with autistic (x̅ = 3.87). For home environment factors, the highest average was relationship between caretakers and their children with autistic (x̅ = 4.02). For parenting style factors, the first 3 highest averages were (1) acceptance of parents and caretakers (2) nurture with great care (3) spending time to practice their children (x̅ = 4.26, 3.99 and 3.66 respectively). The results of the study in the factors affected to the symptoms of children with autistic distinguished by education level and age of their parents showed that both differences of their education level and age significantly affected to their perspectives in the needs of learning media and learning methods, treatment facilities, and home environment. For learning media and learning methods, the parents needed physical materials such as balls and geometric shapes toys (x̅ = 4.12).