Abstract:
The study aimed to identify the level of independent skills among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in shelter centers during wars, from the perspective of their parents in Gaza Strip. The researcher used the descriptive analytical method to achieve the study's objectives, analyzing the reality of the children's independent skills in areas such as eating, mobility, dressing, handling money, using the toilet, and personal hygiene. Data was collected using the Independent Skills Scale, which was designed to measure the skill levels of children with ASD in shelter centers. The study sample consisted of 155 parents of children in shelter centers in Gaza Strip in 2024. The results showed that the overall level of independent skills was low, with an average approval score of 2.48, representing 49.7%. The study also found statistically significant differences in the responses of the sample due to variables such as the gender of the parent, educational qualification, child's age, and duration of stay in the shelter center. The differences favored male parents, those with an elementary education or less, as well as children older than 10 years. Additionally, the study revealed that children who stayed in the shelter centers for a year or more showed better independent skills compared to those who stayed for a shorter period.
