PROBLEMS FACED BY SPORTS INSTRUCTORS WORKING IN AUTISM SPORTS CLUBS

In recent studies, the positive contributions of physical activity, physical education and sports to the lives of individuals with special needs are frequently mentioned. The presence of trainers and physical education teachers who conduct these activities for individuals with special needs is as important as physical activity, physical education and sports. Considering the difficulty of the education process of individuals with special needs compared to the education process of other individuals, it is thought that educators face relatively more various problems in the education process. From this point of view, the aim of this research is to examine the problems faced by trainers working in autism sports clubs. The qualitative research method was used in the research. 17 trainers working in autism sports clubs participated in the research voluntarily. Data were collected by semi-structured interview technique. The content analysis method was used in the analysis of the data. The reliability of the study was calculated using the Miles and Huberman (1994) formula and it was found that a consensus of 77% was achieved. In line with the answers given by the participants, three themes have reached the headings of family, children and society's prejudice about autism. Under the theme of family, 'insecurity, inadequacy in education, ignorance about autism, intrusive attitude, not accepting autism, non-cooperation and lack of communication', under the theme of children 'aggressive behavior and varying negative behaviors', under the theme of society's prejudice about autism 'insensitivity, autism-related 'ignorance and discrimination' codes have been reached. As a result, it can be said that the problems faced by the participants are based on three different sources: family, child and society's prejudice about autism. Depending on these results, it can be said that making families more conscious and environmental regulations will be effective in minimizing the problems faced by educators.

PROBLEMS FACED BY SPORTS INSTRUCTORS WORKING IN AUTISM SPORTS CLUBS

In recent studies, the positive contributions of physical activity, physical education and sports to the lives of individuals with special needs are frequently mentioned. The presence of trainers and physical education teachers who conduct these activities for individuals with special needs is as important as physical activity, physical education and sports. Considering the difficulty of the education process of individuals with special needs compared to the education process of other individuals, it is thought that educators face relatively more various problems in the education process. From this point of view, the aim of this research is to examine the problems faced by trainers working in autism sports clubs. Qualitative research method was used in the research. 17 trainers working in autism sports clubs participated in the research voluntarily. Data were collected by semi-structured interview technique. Content analysis method was used in the analysis of the data. The reliability of the study was calculated using the Miles and Huberman (1994) formula and it was found that a consensus of 77% was achieved. In line with the answers given by the participants, three main themes were reached under the headings of family, children and environment. Under the main theme of family, 'insecurity, inadequacy in education, ignorance about autism, intrusive attitude, not accepting autism, non-cooperation and lack of communication', under the main theme of children 'aggressive behavior and varying negative behaviors', under the main theme of environment 'insensitivity, autism-related 'ignorance and discrimination' codes have been reached. As a result, it can be said that the problems faced by the participants are based on three different sources: family, child and environment. Depending on these results, it can be said that making families more conscious and environmental regulations will be effective in minimizing the problems faced by educators.

___

  • Akcamete, G. (2009). Students with special needs and special education in general education schools. Ankara: Kök Publishing.
  • Akçin, N., Teyyare, B., Mandan, S. (2014). An examination of the problems experienced in the independent autistic children's education center based on the opinions of the teachers. Fırat University Journal of Social Sciences, 24(2), 61-84. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/firatsbed/issue/17004/177666
  • American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
  • Atbaşoğlu E. C. (2020). Adult Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Arch Neuropsychiatry, 57(1), 1-2. doi:10.29399/npa.25050
  • Autism in Turkey. (2015). https://www.tohumotizm.org.tr/utizm/tedavi-yontemleri/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_L6LBhBbEiwA4c46ulMtEHuB6oN4qeRenhkbmi59BneCxF2wE5TuI3zT2707yhGjD6i7tAxoCSUQ Access date: 09.09.2021
  • Autism-spectrum-bozuklugu-egitim-kitabi.pdf (ailevecalisma.gov.tr), Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  • Awake, A., Yellow, H. (2021). Examining the problems experienced by teachers working with students with autism spectrum disorder. Turkish Special Education Journal: International, 3(2), 54-76.
  • Bleuler, E. (1951). Autistic thinking. Organization and pathology of thought. Columbia: Columbia University Press. Doi: https://doi.org/10.7312/rapa92214-023
  • Bodur, S., Soysal, A. S. (2004). Early diagnosis and importance of autism. Journal of Continuing Medical Education, 13(10), 394-398.
  • Burcu, E. (2007). A research on the basic sociological characteristics and problems of being a disabled person in Turkey. Ankara: Hacettepe University Press.
  • Caracas, G., Yilmaz, A., Kaya, H. B. (2016). Teachers comments by 5-6 age children with autism spectrum disorders and behavior of the effect of social skills level sports. Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 10(2), 280–294.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2020). Qualitative research methods, qualitative research and qualitative research design according to five approaches. Ankara: Political.
  • Delmolino, L., Harris, S. L. (2012). Matching children on the autism spectrum to classrooms: A guide for parents and professionals. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 1197-1204. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-011-1298-6
  • Demirbas, D. (2021). Discourses of parents with autistic children about autism. Master's thesis, Istanbul Arel University, Graduate School of Education, Department of Psychology, Istanbul.
  • Ercan, F. Z., Kırlıoğlu, M., Kalaycıoğlu Kırlıoğlu, H. İ. (2019). The process of accepting this situation of families with disabled children and their views on this situation. Journal of Social Policy Studies, 19(44), 597-628. doi: https://doi.org/10.21560/spcd.v19i49119.459666
  • Farmer, C. A., Aman, M. G. (2011). Aggressive behavior in a sample of children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(1), 317-323. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2010.04.014
  • Geschwind, D. H., Cummings, J. L., Hollander, E. (1998). Autism screening and diagnostic evaluation: Can consensus statement. Cns Spectrums, 3(3), 40-49.
  • Işık, A. E., Turan, F. (2015). Emotion regulation in normally developing children with autism spectrum disorder. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal, 1(2), 709-716.
  • Johnson, C. P., Myers, S. M. (2007). Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 120(5), 1183-1215.
  • Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous child, 2(3), 217-250.
  • Karasu, T., Mutlu, Y. (2014). Problems and solutions in special education from the perspective of teachers: The case of Muş province. Anemon Mus Alparslan University Journal of Social Sciences, 2(1), 47-66.
  • Kilic, M. H. (2020). Problems faced by teachers working in private education institutions (Case of Merkezefendi and Pamukkale). Master's thesis, Pamukkale University Institute of Educational Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, Denizli.
  • Kinali, G. (2003). Body-painting-music education in mentally handicapped. A. Kulaksızoğlu (Ed.) Among children who develop differently. Istanbul: Epsilon Publications.
  • Korkut, A. (2020). Investigation of the factors affecting the attitudes of trainers towards children with mental retardation. Master's thesis, Istanbul Gelişim University, Graduate Education Institute, Department of Coaching Education, Istanbul.
  • Kudaibergenova, A. (2018). Problems faced by families of children with autism spectrum disorder: The case of Edirne. Master's thesis, Trakya University, Institute of Social Sciences, Department of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies, Edirne.
  • Lindsay, S., Proulx, M., Thomson, N., Scott, H. (2013). Educators' challenges of including children with autism spectrum disorder in mainstream classrooms. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 60(4), 347-362. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2013.846470
  • Miles, M, B., Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded Sourcebook. (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Norman, G. (2020). Analysis of the professional competencies of the teachers who graduated from the special education department and physical education teachers working in special education schools. Master's thesis, İnönü University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Malatya.
  • Özşenol, F., Işıkhan, V., Ünay, B., Aydın, H. İ., Akın, R., Gökçay, E. (2003). Evaluation of family functions of families with disabled children. Gulhane Medical Journal, 45(2), 156-164.
  • Sarol, H., Grass, Z., (2013). "The effect of adapted recreational physical activity on the quality of life of individuals with autism". ”2th Recreational Researches Congress” (pp.56-67). Kusadasi, Turkey.
  • Seed Autism Foundation (2019). https://www.tohumotizm.org.tr/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2BUSY-1.Otizm-Spektrum-Bozuklug%CC%86u-Pembe-Kitapc%CC%A7%C4%B1k-IC- 64-page.pdf. Access date: 10.09.2021
  • Susuz C, Dogan B. G. (2020). Autism spectrum disorder from a public health perspective. ESTUDAM Journal of Public Health, 5(2), 297-310. doi: https://doi.org/10.35232/estudamhsd.684075
  • Unal, L. I. (1996). Education and training economics. Ankara: Epar Publications.
  • Ustaoglu Hosver, P. (2020). The effect of the individualized coordinated education program prepared for children with autism spectrum disorder on the social behaviors of children. Doctoral Thesis, Düzce University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Düzce.
  • Üstüner Top, F. (2009). Evaluation of the problems and mental states of families with autistic children: Qualitative research. Children's Journal, 9(1), 34-42.
  • Yaman, C., Namli, S., Şahan, S. (2020). Exercise practices and purposes for children with autism (Multidisciplinary view on sports and health sciences. Istanbul: Güven Plus Grup Danışmanlık A.Ş. Publications.
  • Yıldırım, A., Şimşek, H. (2016). Qualitative research methods in the social sciences. Ankara: Seçkin Publishing.
  • Yuksel, H., Tanriverdi, A. (2019). Social problems experienced by families with children with special needs and ways of coping. Ankara University Faculty of Educational Sciences Journal of Special Education, 20(3), 535-559. doi: https://doi.org/10.21565/ozelegitimdergisi.493089
  • Zülkar, Y., Söyünmez, S., Turan, F. D., Dalgıç, A. İ. (2021). Awareness of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder about abuse. Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, 12(4), 288-296. doi: 10.14744/phd.2021.78055