The Relationship Between Verbal Parenting Interactions and The Verbal Communication Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental verbal interactions and verbal communication skills among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and to identify the level of parental verbal interactions among their parents, as well as the level of verbal communication skills among them. The descriptive correlational approach was employed. To achieve the study objectives, two scales were developed: one to measure parental verbal interactions and another to assess verbal communication in children with ASD. Data were collected from (57) parents of verbal children with ASD aged (4-6) years. Results revealed a positive, statistically significant correlation between parental verbal interactions and verbal communication skills at (α≤ 0.01). Parental verbal interactions were generally high, while children's verbal communication skills were moderate as perceived by their parents. The study recommended developing culturally sensitive intervention programs for Arab families to enhance verbal interaction effectiveness and designing early intervention programs to train families in using strategies appropriate to their children's developmental level.