A Descrpitive Study to Assess the Knowledge and Attitude Concerning Autism among School Teachers in Selected Schools, Shimla (H.P)

Background: Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. Hence, this study seeks to assess the knowledge and attitude concerning autism among school teachers in Himachal Pradesh, India, and the influence of several demographic factors on school teacher’s knowledge and attitude concerning autism. Aim: The aim of present study was to assess the knowledge and attitude concerning autism among school teachers. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the level of knowledge among school teachers, to assess the attitude among school teachers, to find out the correlation between knowledge and attitude among school teachers, to find out the association of knowledge level with selected demographic variables and to find out the association of attitude among school teachers with selected demographic variables. Methodology: A quantitative descriptive research design was used to collect data from 100 school teachers by using non-probability convenient sampling technique by means of self-structured questionnaires and likert scale. Result: The present study concluded that the most of the students were having moderate knowledge (76%) and (78%) of school teachers had positive attitude concerning autism. The present study findings also revealed that there was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.197) at 0.05 level of significance between the knowledge and attitude concerning autism among school teachers. Conclusion: The present study concluded that there is a need for school institutions to pay their attention in teaching, educating, training and guiding the autistic child.