The concept of autism spectrum disorder: a study on knowledge sharing protocol among parents with autistic children in Ghana

The concept of autism spectrum disorder: a study on knowledge sharing protocol among parents with autistic children in Ghana Bernard Kissi-Abrokwah, Kwame Kodua-Ntim Advances in Autism, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.- The purpose of this paper is to identify knowledge sharing practices used among parents with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study was based on qualitative philosophical foundations, where phenomenological case study design was used to make an in-depth understanding of how parents whose children are diagnosed with ASD shared knowledge among themselves. The population for this research consists of parents whose children have been diagnosed with ASD in Ghana. The study sampled for the study was 12 parents and was selected from 4 autism awareness centres in Ghana to obtain data through the use of focus group discussion and analysed with the aid of thematic analysis. The study showed that the dimensions of knowledge sharing practices used by parents with autistic children were after-action review/lesson learnt, brainstorming, mentoring, coaching system, discussion forum, face-to-face meeting, documentation, peer assistance and storytelling. Finally, the study also revealed that knowledge sharing practices used by parents with autistic children help them in their daily engagement. An aspect of the training of social workers should focus on how to assist parents, family and neighbours...
Source: Advances in Autism - Category: Child Development Authors: Source Type: research