dc.contributor.advisor |
Hall, Herna |
en |
dc.contributor.postgraduate |
Taderera, Clever |
en |
dc.date.accessioned |
2016-07-29T11:02:09Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2016-07-29T11:02:09Z |
|
dc.date.created |
2016-04-13 |
en |
dc.date.issued |
2015 |
en |
dc.description |
Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2015. |
en |
dc.description.abstract |
When parents learn that their child has a learning disability, they begin a journey that takes
them into a life that is often filled with strong emotions, difficult choices, interactions with
many different professionals and services (VanPelt, 2007:53). In Africa, learning disabilities
are considered a complex phenomenon seeing that there has not been an African derived
definition of learning disabilities. Hitherto, tools and formulas used to diagnose learning
disabilities are western based (Abosi, 2007:198). Due to elusive understanding of the
phenomena among the general public, children who have learning disabilities are victims of
derogatory and dehumanising terminology such as stupid , underachievers or slow
learners . These terms affect not only the children with learning disabilities alone but their
parents as well. Due to such attitudinal barriers as well as lack of understanding of the
phenomena, parents of children with learning disabilities are often predisposed to eternal
grieving over their circumstances. It is against this background that the study sought to
explore the challenges faced by parents of children with learning disabilities in parenting
such children. The social model of disability was utilised in order to gain insight into the way
that society presents challenges to children with impairments. With themes such as
participation, human rights, social change, the social model of disability promotes
independency, positive self-image and stimulates potential in persons with disabilities (Ife,
2001:461). This model was found to be very appropriate as it also entails the core values of
social work such as social justice, social change, human rights and respect for human
dignity.
The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach. The study was exploratory
in nature and the type of research was applied. The phenomenological design was utilised.
A total of eight participants took part in the study. A two-stage sampling process was employed to select participants for the study. These sampling methods were purposive
sampling, as well as voluntary sampling. Data was collected from the caregivers by way of
in-depth interviews.
The outcome of the empirical study revealed that learning disabilities as phenomena were
not clearly comprehended by the caregivers of children with learning disabilities. The lack of
knowledge regarding learning disability as a concept amongst the participants had far
reaching effects in terms of knowledge of programmes, services and policies that are meant
to benefit children with learning disabilities and their parents. The research findings also
confirmed previous research studies which found that the initial attempt to obtain information
regarding a child s disability is a time consuming and difficult process as caregivers are
bound to meet obstacles. Due to the inaccessibility of information regarding learning
disability services, none of the participants in this study had a formal diagnosis conducted in
terms of her child.
It was concluded that knowledge regarding policies pertaining learning disabilities was very
limited. Participants could not articulate specific policies that benefit children and parents of
children with learning disabilities. This may indicate inadequate policy education on the part
of policy makers and implementers. It was further determined that participants were not
aware of the services of social workers as none of them had sought assistance for their
children with learning disabilities from a social worker.
The findings and the literature confirmed that families of children with disabilities are
generally poor and suffer from financial hardships. Therefore it is recommended that
practitioners such as social workers empower these caregivers by helping them to establish
small enterprises which can generate income that will help them meet their needs. Female
caregivers may be the most appropriate target group as research indicates that small
enterprises have a higher likelihood of success if conducted by women. |
en |
dc.description.availability |
Unrestricted |
en |
dc.description.degree |
MSW |
en |
dc.description.department |
Social Work and Criminology |
en |
dc.description.librarian |
tm2016 |
en |
dc.identifier.citation |
Taderera, C 2015, Challenges faced by parents in parenting children with learning disabilities in Opuwo, Namibia, MSW Mini Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/56112> |
en |
dc.identifier.other |
A2016 |
en |
dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/56112 |
|
dc.language.iso |
en |
en |
dc.publisher |
University of Pretoria |
en_ZA |
dc.rights |
© 2016 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
|
dc.subject |
UCTD |
en |
dc.title |
Challenges faced by parents in parenting children with learning disabilities in Opuwo, Namibia |
en |
dc.type |
Mini Dissertation |
en |