Adaptive Behavior Skills and Quality of Life among Autistic Children

Abstract
Background: There has been a documented increase in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), making it to be one of the fastest growing diagnosed disabilities in children. Two of most critical issues that concern the autistic child are adaptive behavior skills with disease process and quality of life of these children.
Aim of Study: This study examines the relationship between adaptive behavior skills and quality of life among autistic children.
Material and Methods: The study design was correlational descriptive design, the subjects was recruited from Special Needs care Center at the Institute of Postgraduate Studies Childhood at Ain Shams University. A purposive sample of forty five caregivers of autistic children who met the inclusion criteria was included, the data was collected by using socio-demographic data sheet, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) and The KINDLR questionnaire and was analyzed by personal computer using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program at significant level (p<0.05).
Results: The study shows that there are highly significant statistical positive correlation between adaptive behavior skills and self-esteem, adaptive behavior skills and school and adaptive behavior skills and social contacts, it also shows that there are significant statistical correlation between adaptive behavior skills and physical well-being , emotional wellbeing, family and adaptive behavior skills and total quality of life.
Conclusion: From all findings this study showed that the quality of life of autistic children is affected by their adaptive behavior skills so that future studies should develop adaptive behavior skills of autistic children to improve their quality of life.