Obstacles to Vocational Rehabilitation for Students ‎with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Perspective of ‎Teachers in Makkah Region

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the vocational rehabilitation obstacles for students with autism spectrum disorder from the perspective of their teachers in the centers and programs run by the Ministry of Education, in Makkah Almokarramah region. The study sample consisted of 232 teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder. The researchers used the descriptive survey method; as it corresponds with  the nature of this study. As such,  a survey of vocational rehabilitation obstacles with four domains was used: family obstacles, administrative obstacles, social obstacles, and student-related obstacles. The results showed that social obstacles were the most significant obstacles to vocational rehabilitation for students with autism spectrum disorder from the perspective of teachers, followed by administrative obstacles related to the programs and centers, family obstacles, and finally, the students' disability-related obstacles . The results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences at the level (α =0.05), due to the difference in educational qualification or the number of years of experience for the members of the study sample, ,with the exception of the dimension of administrative obstacles. There were statistically significant differences at the level (α =0.05). These differences, as figured out by the Scheffe test, were found to be in favour of teachers with higher experience. It  was recommended that more research be done on the issues preventing students with autism spectrum disorders from receiving vocational rehabilitation, that more centers for this purpose be established, that those that already exist be developed, and that the programs at those facilities be improved. It was also suggested that the community be made aware of the significance of vocational rehabilitation for students with autism spectrum disorder through seminars, conferences, and counseling programs