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Parents have asked clinicians whether they should tell their non-disabled children about their siblings learning disability, and if so how should they do it. Current clinical practice advocates the importance of open and honest communications with children across a range of sensitive topics yet there is little research to substantiate the benefits of this practice. There is even less research discussing how parents should approach these conversations with their children. This study aimed to provide an account of how parents could best to inform non-disabled children about their siblings' learning disability. In particular information about the specific factors involved in sharing this information was needed. The aim was to provide a model that could act as a frame of reference for both parents and professionals when considering disclosing to a child. Data was obtained from interviews with six adult participants all of whom had a sibling with a learning disability, and all of whom were parents themselves. The data was analysed using the Grounded Theory methodology, and a model of the factors involved in the disclosure process was developed. Analysis showed that unlike professional to parent disclosure, parent to child disclosure was not a discreet, easily identifiable event. Instead, it was more pervasive, long-term process that was entwined into the daily activities of family life. Whilst the parent facilitated the disclosure process the child was found to be an active participant who gained information through a range of different mediums. The findings of this study allow any fears about upsetting or overwhelming the child to be dispelled. Indeed, parents can be reassured that by directly addressing the issue of disability, including both the positive and negative aspects, the child can achieve an acceptance of the situation.

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Exploring the resilience construct is highly relevant for the field of learning disabilities. Resilience is a dynamic process of adaptation that involves interactions between a range of risk and protective factors. This research presents recent learning disability and resilience literature, focussing on the risk and protective factors in the lives of those with learning difficulties. Children with a learning disability often have associated emotional, behavioural and social difficulties that may become major obstacles to positive future outcomes. Historically little attention has been paid to the experiences of mothers of children with a learning disability and how the mother-child relationship may or may not foster the development of resilience in the learning disabled child. This research explores the issue within a qualitative framework / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Exploring the resilience construct is highly relevant for the field of learning disabilities. Resilience is a dynamic process of adaptation that involves interactions between a range of risk and protective factors. This research presents recent learning disability and resilience literature, focussing on the risk and protective factors in the lives of those with learning difficulties. Children with a learning disability often have associated emotional, behavioural and social difficulties that may become major obstacles to positive future outcomes. Historically little attention has been paid to the experiences of mothers of children with a learning disability and how the mother-child relationship may or may not foster the development of resilience in the learning disabled child. This research explores the issue within a qualitative framework / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)