Language skills and social competence among children with mild autism spectrum disorder in pre-school in light of some variables

Abstract

The current study aimed to examine the level of language skills and social competence among children with mild autism spectrum disorder in the pre-school stage. The study aimed to examine the level of language skills and social competence by taking into account the variables of the child’s gender and the educational level of the guardian. The study sample consisted of ( 48) of pre-school children with mild autism spectrum disorder of different genders, ages 3-6 years. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher developed two scales of language skills and social competence, which parents of children answer. The validity and reliability implications of the two study scales were confirmed. The results of the study showed that the level of both language skills and social competence among children with autism spectrum disorder was moderate. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the level of language skills due to the variable of the child’s sex, and they were in favor of females. There were no statistically significant differences in language skills due to For the educational level of the guardian. The results of the study also showed that there were statistically significant differences in the level of social competence attributable to the educational level of the guardian, which was in favor of bachelor’s and postgraduate studies, and that there were no statistically significant differences in the level of social competence attributable to the gender level variable.