Strategies Used by Special Educationists to Control Involuntary Body Movements of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Quantitative Inquiry

Abstract

Involuntary body movements including hand flipping, finger flecking, rocking, jumping and pining or twirling may negatively impact social and educational activities of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Kapp, et al., 2019). The study intended to identify the strategies used by the special educationists to manage involuntary body movement of ASD. Employing quantitative research, data was collected from 100 teachers of children with autism from government and private special schools in Lahore District. The researchers employed a stratified sampling method for sampling. The results showed that physical exercise, providing comfortable furniture, using clear directions, remaining calm and peaceful were among the strategies used by majority. Likewise, using therapy balls, squeeze balls, play dough, touch and feel alphabets and letter were used in public and private sector. The findings showed no significant differences in material and techniques used by male and female teachers of govt. and private school having varying teaching experience.