Title:
EFFECT OF ROUTINE HYGIENE PRACTICES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS IN PUBLIC SPECIAL SCHOOLS IN MATETE SUB COUNTY, KENYA

Authors:
Christopher Omusula Bwamoni* , Kenya

Abstract:
Children with autism spectrum disorders have challenges in hygiene and socialization practices. Lack of social appeal, good grooming and cooperation with peers defrays companionship, group work and peer learning in the affected children. To modify the health practices in autistic children in their early stages of growth and development is to improve their social appeal, interaction and peer learning in schools. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of training in routine hygiene practices on academic performance of children with autism disorders in public special schools in Matete Sub County. The study sought to determine the extent to which routine training in cleaning the body procedures have influenced children with autism spectrum disorders’ academic performance in public special schools in Matete Sub County. The study employed Skinner’s Classical conditioning theory to propose that behavior can be changed through classical conditioning of learners. It used a Mixed Methods Approach to collect and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data on the effect of routine cleaning of the on academic performance of children with autism spectrum disorders in public special schools in Matete Sub County. The researcher targeted nine head teachers and 168 teachers in nine special schools. Census was used to sample the head teachers while 50 (30% of 168) teachers were selected randomly. A split- half split testing technique was used to test for a reliability index in one special unit within the Sub County. Piloting of the instrument yielded 0.85 Cronbach’s reliability index. This met the Cronbach’s reliability threshold of µ ? 0.7. Face and content validity was ensured by the supervisors from the department.. This study used a questionnaire to collect data from teachers, interview schedule and an observation check list to collect data from the nine head teachers and the learners respectively. Data was analyzed thematically and converted into frequencies. Interview results were transcribed verbatim. The study established that not all teachers in public special primary schools in Matete Sub County carry out routine training in washing of the body for children with autism spectrum disorders in public special schools in Matete Sub County. It was concluded that lack of this training might have contributed to the dismal performance in class activities. The researcher recommended that more resources should be put in to intensify routine trainings in washing of the body to make the learners more appealing to others so as to improve learning through group work and collaboration in school activities.