Autism is a severe form of childhood psychopathology which has enormous impact on the child, his/her family, and the wider community. It challenges the expertise of doctors, teachers and therapists. In Kuwait, recognition of the disorder is still in its infancy. However, the government has established a new Centre for Autism, the first of its kind in the country, to provide up-to-date medical care and education for autistic children. This investigative study attempts to assess the impact autistic children's behaviours have on their families within the context of Kuwait. This will be related to Kuwait's progress in catering for autism, in the light of current thinking world-wide. Autism is defined, early descriptions and theories as to aetiology are outlined, and the main trends of modern research are indicated. Within the context of the Review of Literature, distinguishing characteristics of autistic behaviour and the general impact upon families are identified and discussed, after which specific stresses and related problems are reviewed. Diagnosis and treatment are also considered. Discussion then turns to the roles of the main governmental and other bodies concerned with provision for autistic children in Kuwait, and an account is given of the special schools which are currently known to cater specifically for this disorder. Because any medical condition, but particularly autism has an impact upon the immediate and extended family, information is also presented regarding coping strategies by Kuwaiti parents, as well as various therapies and training programmes and their claimed effects. Other factors influencing the family and which can cause further stress, such as financial or health matters are similarly considered. All these elements are viewed in the light of the situation in Kuwait at the present time. The evaluation of the impact on parents of the behaviour of autistic family members, was achieved by means of a questionnaire, Survey Questionnaire of Families and their Responses to Behaviour Problems Related to Autism, described in Chapter Six. It is found that, in Kuwait, provision is limited and fragmented compared with the UK and the USA. This has resulted in families having to cope as best they can with the behaviours of their autistic children, which in many cases has caused stress and related problems. Moreover, there is, as yet, relatively little information available to researchers, parents, or the general public in this regard. Accordingly, recommendations are made for both action and research, in order to raise the issues of stress and the family, as well as raise the profile of this disorder in Kuwait and extend provision.

A study was carried out to examine the interaction between music and language in learning and recall in children with autism spectrum condition (ASC). The research comprised initial interviews (N=12), a questionnaire (N=320), and a comparative intervention with children with ASC (N=24), and a comparison group of neurotypical individuals (N=32). Results from the questionnaire showed that, in the view of parents and teachers, there was a high prevalence of singing amongst children with ASC, especially in those with language delay. Furthermore, in the view of parents and teachers, music was more likely to enhance relationships for children with some language delay (as opposed to children who were non-verbal and children with age- appropriate speech). In the practical phase of the study, where children were asked to learn and subsequently recall both spoken and sung material, it was found that singing as opposed to speaking could enhance verbal recall for some children with ASC - particularly those with some language delay. With regard to the effects of language on melodic recall, for children with the lowest levels of musical development, the presence of language had a positive effect, but as the level of children’s musical development increased, the impact of language on melodic recall diminished. With regard to the comparison group, for children at Key Stage 1 (5-7 year olds), music had a positive effect on verbal recall in the long term, but for children at Key Stage 2 (8 -11 year olds), music had a negative effect, although this may have been due to external factors.

In the teoretical part of my dissertation I tried to be concentrate on the map out of actual knowledges about problem with mental deficienty of autistic spectrum. I tried to discraibe the present situation and compare the education of childen with autism integrated in classical basic schools and the education of children in special classes. In the practical part we can see the casuistics of three children educated by diferent systems. I tried to find opportunities for diferent consens account the potencionality of the children. I tried to find advanteges and disadvatages of their integration and I make a suggestion for individual educations plans. I did the reserge work during a long observation, during the analysing their work at school and during descation with parents, assistentes, schoolmasters and children.

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that is seen more and more in the society and it significantly affects the lives of not only those who have autism but also their families and close ones. There is no known cure for autism, the most effective treatment is education. The choice between the several approaches regarding the education of autistic children is shaped according to education choices, children&rsquo / s age, the severity of symptoms and children&rsquo / s intellectual capabilities. The thesis focuses on the architectural design of special education schools among other education opportunities. The aim is to draw architectural guidelines for the design of a special school for children who are diagnosed with autism and who require special education support. These architectural guidelines are hoped to aid architects who will work with similar architectural programs in the future. The study concludes with an appraisal of the design of Private ilgi Special Education School, realized by the author of this thesis and architect Kadri AtabaS. In the light of information gathered during the study, the preliminary design is evaluated. Suggestions are offered concerning the architectural design, in the subjects of program elements, natural lighting, layout of education and circulation spaces, acoustics and color scheme.

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This thesis deals with the education of autistic children. It is divided into ten chapters where further presents the history of autism, autistic spectrum disorders division, the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders, then focuses on the triad problem areas, which include communication, social behavior and imagination. Another chapter deals with the education of children with autism. The last chapter consists of methods for educating children with autism. In the practical part presents research that I conducted using a questionnaire. Furthermore, there are some interviews with experts on autism and teaching assistants.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by deficits in the areas of communication and social interaction, stereotypic behaviour and changes in the sensory processing. These symptoms pose challenges to everyday situations such as visits to the doctor's office, which are more stressful for children with ASD and their parents than for the general population. Furthermore, more than one-third of parents have encountered refusal to provide medical care for their child because of ASD. In our diploma project, we combined the parent's reports with an analysis of international sources to create a project called AutFriendly which aims to increase the knowledge of the Czech healthcare practitioners about ASD. In the presented thesis, we summarize the theoretical background in the field of healthcare provision for people with ASD and we review current Czech and international literature to show how the topic of ASD is addressed in the education of healthcare practitioners. In the practical part of the thesis, we summarize our two-year experience with the AutFriendly project. First, we created a two- hour AutFriendly workshop for the students of secondary schools of nursing and we put it into practice with more than 250 participating students of the Czech secondary schools of nursing. Second, we...

The thesis deals with the creation of Snoezelen room, its characteristics and properties. He is more closely involved with the creation of snoezelen for pupils with mental and combined disabilities who are trained in special primary schools. The work describes the target group, defines the snoezelen method and describes its origin and development in our country and abroad. The main goal of the thesis is to explain to the reader how the rooms are created and what it is necessary to know before deciding to launch the snoezelen room. This information was used mainly by special teachers who operate snoezelena in facilities where they work in schools. The thesis also touches on the topic of education at special schools, methods of working with these pupils and describes types of expressive therapies, therapies, basal stimulation and sensory stimulation. The thesis also reflects the Snoezelen-MSE qualification course in theory and practice, which was the main source. The output of the thesis is a proposed room model, description of equipment and activities that are suitable for working with disadvantaged pupils.