Reflexivity is an attitude of attending systematically to the context of knowledge construction, especially to the effect of

Objectives This study aims to identify the barriers to social integration for children with autism in Saudi Arabia. This study also aims to determine the similarities and differences between the barriers to social integration for those mothers with high level of education and those with low level of education. Methodology Qualitative research methods, specifically interpretative phenomenological analysis, will be used to explore the barriers to social integration for children with autism. Four mothers who are Saudi nationals, age 25 to 45 and have autistic children will be recruited through private Schools co in Saudi Arabia for this study. Data will be gathered through recorded semi-structured interviews investigating the barriers to social integration experienced by each mother individually; comparisons and differences will then be considered between individual stories and within the two groups. The interview recordings in Arabic will be transcribed and categorised and themes established; to assure transparency all information will be translated to English by two translators.

Potential Outcomes This study may result in the identification of barriers to social integration experienced by 25 to 45- year-old mothers of ASD children, including those high level of education and low level of education. A descriptive account of the similarities and the differences between the opinions of Highly educated mothers and those with low level of education with regards to the constituents of barriers to social integration will be presented. This may help to devise appropriate interventions, programmes, and policies to minimise the adverse effects that a lack of social integration can have on children with autism and their families in KSA. Aims 1. To determine the barriers to social integration for children with autism in KSA. 2. To capture the perceptions of mothers with high level of education regarding the constituents of barriers to social integration in Saudi Arabia. 3. To capture the perceptions of mothers with low level of education regarding the constituents of barriers to social integration in Saudi Arabia. 4. To identify the similarities and differences between the perceptions of mothers with high and low level of education regarding the constituents of barriers to social integration in Saudi Arabia. Research Question Are there any differences between the perceptions of mothers of autistic children with high and low level of education regarding the constituents of barriers to social integration in Saudi Arabia for their autistic children? This study will use a qualitative research method, specifically interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), to explore the barriers to social integration of children with autism in Saudi Arabia. Qualitative methods will be used to answer questions about experience, meaning, and perspective, from the standpoint of the study participant Recruitment strategy The study population will comprise of four mothers, age 25 to 45, who have children with ASD. The age bracket of 25 and 45 years represent the productive years and therefore, the most effective age for the study. Two mothers with high level of education( Bachelor degree up to the advanced level) and two mothers with low level of education ( primary, intermediate and secondary) . Only females who are Saudi nationals, age 25 to 45 years and have professionally diagnosed autistic children will be recruited for this study. Those who are not female, are below age 25 years or above age 45, are not Saudi Arabian, or do not have autistic children will be excluded from the study. Potential participants who cannot consent under Saudi Arabian laws will also be excluded from the study. These people include mothers with mental disorders, under the legal age. All participants will be women because mothers are most likely to be the caretakers of their children and, therefore, more likely to have first-hand experience of the barriers to social integration. Procedure The participant information sheets, interview questions, transcripts and consent forms will be translated into Arabic to enable the participants to engage in the study. Potential study participants, who meet the inclusion criteria above, will be approached by their care coordinator from Schools co in Saudi. This coordinator will be the identified contact person that the lead researcher will approach first for the identification of potential study participants. The

coordinator will give the participants a brief introduction about the research and whether they will be interested in participating. The identified contact person will then introduce potential study participants to the lead researcher. On the first meeting with the participants, the lead researcher will introduce herself to provide a written information sheet and a brief description of the research study, its purpose and benefits, and why the participant has been approached. They will be given an additional 48 hours after filling them in with all the information and answering any questions and inquiries they have, so they can have enough time to think and decide whether they would like to be interviewed. After they approve, they will be given a written consent for them to sign. The researcher will need to establish the credibility and transferability of the findings. Since the results are obtained from the direct word of the participants, they are both accurate and true. The obtained information will be in Arabic and will need to be transcribed to English. The entire process will require the value of honesty to make sure that data is translated correctly. The issue calls for consistency an issue that may make the two translators do it in utmost honesty. The researcher will approach two translators to maintain the credibility of the participants’ stories given that they will be transcribed from Arabic to English.

Ethics and approvals Ethical, research, and development approvals will be obtained in line with what is required in Saudi and will conform with University’s research and development guidelines. Relevant contact information to direct any concerns about the study will be provided at the end of the participant information sheets.

Confidentiality All information received about study participants will be protected in accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018) and University’s Records Management (2015) guidelines will be complied with. Individual participant records will be given an identification number; this is the only number that will appear in stored information. Each selected study participant’s personal and contact details will be kept separately in a locked cabinet. Only the lead researcher and staff members of University involved in this research project will have access to this information. No information provided by study participants will be forwarded to their clinical teams or social workers unless participants indicate otherwise, or circumstances warrant such action. This may occur if a failure to pass on information places the study participant or others at risk; in this situation, relevant information will be passed to the appropriate persons.