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The Role of Autism Centers in Enhancing the Social Skills of Autistic Children From the Perspective of Social Workers in Autism Centers

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the role of autism centers in enhancing the social skills of autistic children from the point of view of social workers working in autism centers as well to identify the major obstacles and needs of the autism centers to enhance the social skills of autistic children. The participants in the study consisted of 128 social workers working in autism centers in the emirates of Ajman and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. This descriptive study was based on a questionnaire consisting of 40 items was designed and randomly distributed to social workers at different autism centers in the emirates of Ajman and Sharjah. The results of the study revealed that social workers have a high-perspective point of view on the important role of autism centers in enhancing autistic children’s social skills, the necessity to provide social and psychological support programs for autistic children at the center, and increasing the number of competent social workers inside the autism centers. The study also showed that the role of autism centers in enhancing the social skills of autistic children varies according to the gender of social workers in favor of male social workers, and there were no statistically significant differences according to the variables of academic qualification and the experience of social workers. The study recommended more studies on children with autism and autism centers.

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We would have loved to share the data; however, the data is primary in nature and the authors do not wish to share the data as this may breach participant confidentiality.

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Acknowledgements

The research team would like to express their gratitude to the dean of graduate studies and research at Ajman University for the approval of the internal research grant (IRG) 2020–2021 for this study (ref. no. 2020-IRG-HBS-05). They would also like to thank the Ajman University ethical committee, in addition to the head and social workers working in the autism centers in the emirates of Ajman and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

Funding

This study was funded by a grant from the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Research at Ajman University, grant no. (2020-IRG-HBS-05).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Humanities and Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE

    Walaa Elsayed & Mohd. Elmagzoub Eltahir

  2. College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE

    Najeh Rajeh Alsalhi & Sami Sami Al-Qatawneh

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  1. Walaa Elsayed
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  2. Najeh Rajeh Alsalhi
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  3. Mohd. Elmagzoub Eltahir
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  4. Sami Sami Al-Qatawneh
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All authors were involved in the research design, implementation of the study, data gathering, data analysis, and writing of the manuscript. All authors approve submission of the manuscript for publication consideration. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Najeh Rajeh Alsalhi.

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Elsayed, W., Alsalhi, N.R., Eltahir, M.E. et al. The Role of Autism Centers in Enhancing the Social Skills of Autistic Children From the Perspective of Social Workers in Autism Centers. J. Hum. Rights Soc. Work 9, 104–116 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-023-00264-1

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