2 research outputs found
Challenges faced by parents of children with learning disabilities in Opuwo, Namibia
BACKGROUND : Parenting children with learning disabilities requires a high level of knowledge
and access to resources, information and services. In developing countries, however, these
resources and services are not always available. Parents in Namibia, a developing country,
therefore face challenges addressing children’s learning and other developmental disabilities,
including challenges related to preventative and supportive interventions.
OBJECTIVE : This research focuses on challenges faced by parents as they parent children with
learning disabilities in Opuwo, Namibia.
METHOD : In-depth interviews were conducted with eight parents regarding the challenges they
face in parenting their children with learning disabilities. Thematic analysis enabled the
researchers to identify, analyse and report on themes that emerged from the qualitative
interview data.
RESULTS : Analysis of the interviews indicated that some participants had only a vague
understanding of learning disabilities, as they did not have access to essential knowledge
about this phenomenon. They also lacked an awareness of the availability of programmes,
services and policies meant to benefit their children with learning disabilities. Participants
voiced that they, their children with learning disabilities and community members have
stereotypes and prejudices regarding learning disabilities. In this study, most of the children
with learning disabilities were raised by single, unemployed parents who seemed to have
access to less support from external sources than married couples parenting children with
learning disabilities. These single parents are usually not married and because of lack of
financial support from the other parent, the majority of them indicated that they struggle to
meet the financial and material needs of their children.
CONCLUSION : The researchers concluded that the participants in this study experience a range of challenges in parenting their children with learning disabilities. The main challenges
emanate from financial instability, as well as lack of knowledge regarding services and
programmes for children with learning disabilities. This lack of knowledge on the part of
participants could indicate poor policy education by policy implementers at grass-roots level.http://www.ajod.orgSocial Work and Criminolog
Challenges faced by parents in parenting children with learning disabilities in Opuwo, Namibia
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.Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2015.tm2016Social Work and CriminologyMSWUnrestricte