DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN AND CHILDREN WITH COMMUNICATION DISORDERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SPECIALISTS IN THE SOUTHERN GOVERNORATES - PALESTINE

The study aimed to identify the differential diagnosis among children with autism spectrum disorder and children with communication disorders from the point of view of specialists in the southern governorates of Palestine in light of the variables of academic level, specialization, and years of experience.The researcher used the mixed descriptive approach using quantitative and qualitative tools, and in terms of quantitative tools She prepared a differential diagnosis scale for people with autism spectrum disorder, which has two areas: differential criteria and indicators, and differential symptoms, The differential diagnosis scale for people with communication disorders has three areas: differential indicators, differential symptoms, and differential criteria, using the available sample method.The sample consisted of (210) doctors and specialists.The validity and reliability of the study tools was confirmed and the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) was used , and (AMOS) programme.).The results showed that the total score of the differential diagnosis scale for people with autism spectrum disorder was at a high level, and the total score of the differential diagnosis scale for people with communication disorders was at a moderate level, and that there were differences between the averages of the two scales among the sample members in favor of the differential diagnosis scale for people with communication disorders.There are differences between the averages of differential diagnoses among children with autism spectrum disorder due to the variable of valid gender of male specialists, and there are no differences between the averages of differential diagnoses among children with autism spectrum disorder due to the variables of academic level, specialization, and years of experience, and there are no differences between the averages of differential diagnoses among children with autism spectrum disorder.Communication disorders due to gender variable, There are no differences