The purpose of this study was to look at the factors that lead to disruption in the adoption of special needs children. Families that adopt special needs children may or may not be aware that they need post adoption services and may be reluctant to ask for them even when they are experiencing difficulty.

The family is a miniature society, where a child is afforded the opportunity to develop, form relationships and create his/her own identity. The child's development does not always take place without certain challenges. Different internal and external factors influence a child's development. Certain external factors, for instance a child with disabilities, can have a negative or positive influence on the child. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of the child with Cerebral Palsy on the social and emotional development of siblings. The research will be done using the idiographic method. The results show that the child with Cerebral Palsy does have an influence on the emotional and social development of siblings. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The family is a miniature society, where a child is afforded the opportunity to develop, form relationships and create his/her own identity. The child's development does not always take place without certain challenges. Different internal and external factors influence a child's development. Certain external factors, for instance a child with disabilities, can have a negative or positive influence on the child. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of the child with Cerebral Palsy on the social and emotional development of siblings. The research will be done using the idiographic method. The results show that the child with Cerebral Palsy does have an influence on the emotional and social development of siblings. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The aim of the research was to determine the influence of adapted sport on the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment. An empirical investigation was carried out to investigate the relationship between certain variables, such as social relationships and affective constructs, and the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment as information emerged from the literature study. A sample of 140 adolescents with a mobility impairment was drawn using purposive sampling. An instrument to measure the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment was compiled. The data, which were obtained from the implementation of the instrument, were analysed using qualitative content analysis techniques. The major findings of the study revealed that there was no significant difference in the identity of adolescents with a mobility impairment who participated in sport, compared with the identity of adolescents with a mobility impairment who did not participate in sport. There was however, a significant positive correlation between social relationships with friends and parents, and the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment. There was also a positive correlation between affective variables and the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment. The two positive affective constructs with the highest correlation were trustfulness and gregariousness. The negative construct with the highest correlation was depression. Based on the findings, conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made. The relationship of adolescents with their friends and parents, together with the health of adolescents, explained the largest proportion of the variance in the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment, namely 42%. The remaining 58% of the variance in the identity formation has not been significantly explained as yet. The implications for parents and educators are clearly explained. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed.

Text in Afrikaans / The aim of this study was to identify and describe the components of a parent support program for the parent of children with mental retardation in the ELSENunits of Parow Preparatory School. This study is the first step in compiling a parent support program for full service schools, since it can be utilise in the establishment of such a program. This study does not address composition of such a parent support program. A qualitative approach was used. Empirical data was gathered through the use of focus groups consisting of 28 parents of children in the ELSEN-unit of Parow Preparatory school. An interview scedule consisting of semi-structured questions were used during the focus groups. Themes were identified and dealt with in accordance with relevant existing literature and literature control. Conclusions and recommendations were made in connection with the components of a parent support program for the parent of children in the ELSEN-units of Parow Preparatory School . / Social Work / M.Ed. (Kurrikulumstudies)

Text in Afrikaans / The aim of this study was to identify and describe the components of a parent support program for the parent of children with mental retardation in the ELSENunits of Parow Preparatory School. This study is the first step in compiling a parent support program for full service schools, since it can be utilise in the establishment of such a program. This study does not address composition of such a parent support program. A qualitative approach was used. Empirical data was gathered through the use of focus groups consisting of 28 parents of children in the ELSEN-unit of Parow Preparatory school. An interview scedule consisting of semi-structured questions were used during the focus groups. Themes were identified and dealt with in accordance with relevant existing literature and literature control. Conclusions and recommendations were made in connection with the components of a parent support program for the parent of children in the ELSEN-units of Parow Preparatory School . / Social Work / M.Ed. (Kurrikulumstudies)

In this qualitative study the focus lies on parents' experience of the influence of the cerebral palsy child on the marital relationship. This research aimed at determining the way in which parents experience the influence of the cerebral palsy child on the marital relationship. To reach the required goal, a number of objectives were set. This included setting up a theoretical framework by way of a literature study as well as consultation with experts in the field of cerebral palsy children, semi-structured interviews with parents of cerebral palsy children, analysing of data and conclusions and recommendations according to the parents' experiences. Five married couples participated as respondents during the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all the participants. Each of the interviews was video-recorded and transcribed. Main themes, sub-themes and categories were identified in the transcriptions and studied in relation to the existing literature. True to the qualitative nature of the study, the aim was not to generalise the findings, but to give each couple the opportunity to tell their story. / Social Work / Thesis (M. Diac. (Spelterapie))

18q- is a chromosomal deletion disorder caused by missing genetic material from the long arm of the 18th chromosome. The extensive impairments associated with 18qmay be a significant source of stress to parents. Research on families of handicapped children suggests that these families experience additional stress related to challenges such as increased caregiving demands, changes in social support systems, and financial burdens related to medical needs and decreased income. Changes in the family environment are also implicated in families coping with a disabled child. Some studies reveal highly cohesive environments within these families, while others reveal decreased levels of expressiveness and cohesion and increases in conflict. The present study compared variables of parenting stress and family environment in families of children with and without disabilities. Group 1 consisted of 24 primary caregivers of children with 18q-. Group 2 consisted of 32 primary caregivers of children with DS. Group 3 consisted of 32 primary caregivers of typically developing children. A one-way, between groups multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to investigate differences in parenting stress on three subscales of the Parenting Stress Index. A significant difference between groups was found. Post hoc pairwise comparisons indicated that the DS group reported statistically significantly more stress than the Control group on both the Isolation and Spouse subscales. The 18q- group was not found to be statistically significantly different from either the Control or DS group on any of the three PSI subscales. A one-way, between groups multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was also conducted to investigate differences in family environment on three subscales of the Family Environment Scale. A significant difference between groups was found. Post hoc pairwise comparisons indicated that the DS group showed statistically significantly less amounts of cohesion in the family environment than both the 18q- and Control groups. The 18q- group showed similar levels of cohesion to the Control group. There were no significant differences between groups on the other two FES subscales. Findings from the study provide important information about the role of family environment and parenting stress in families of children with disabilities. Limitations of the study and implications for future research and practice are discussed. / text

In this qualitative study the focus lies on parents' experience of the influence of the cerebral palsy child on the marital relationship. This research aimed at determining the way in which parents experience the influence of the cerebral palsy child on the marital relationship. To reach the required goal, a number of objectives were set. This included setting up a theoretical framework by way of a literature study as well as consultation with experts in the field of cerebral palsy children, semi-structured interviews with parents of cerebral palsy children, analysing of data and conclusions and recommendations according to the parents' experiences. Five married couples participated as respondents during the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all the participants. Each of the interviews was video-recorded and transcribed. Main themes, sub-themes and categories were identified in the transcriptions and studied in relation to the existing literature. True to the qualitative nature of the study, the aim was not to generalise the findings, but to give each couple the opportunity to tell their story. / Social Work / Thesis (M. Diac. (Spelterapie))