Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / Page ii of digitised copy missing due to the condition of the original hard copy. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: no abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie bestudeer die rol wat die opvoedkundige sielkundige kan speel in die ondersteuning van leerders met Downsindroom tydens die insluiting tot hoofstroomonderwys. Die studie vind plaas in 'n tydperk waar postmoderne denke en demokratisering van onderwys in Suid-Afrika te voorskyn kom. Hierdie tipe studie is relevant. aangesien huidige beleidsdokumente klem Ie op die demokratisering van onderwys en die transformasie na inklusiewe onderwys. Die Universiteit van Pretoria het in samewerking met die Universiteit van Stellenbosch 'n lootsprojek geinisieer waarin inklusiewe onderwys bestudeer is. Die projek het bestaan uit 'n gevallestudie van tien leerders met Downsindroom wat gedurende 1996 in verskillende hoofstroom kleuterskole geplaas is, waartydens hulle 'n leergereedheidsprogram gevolg het. Gedurende 1997 is die leerders in graad eenklasse in die hoofstroom geplaas. Die leerders se agtergrond was divers ten aansien van hul onderrig, maar die meeste van hulle was eers in spesiale skole. Die doel van die studie was om die leerders, ouers en onderwysers te ondersteun en verdere ondersteuning in a trans-disslplinere span te koordineer. Die waarneming en temas wat in hierdie studie na yore gekom het, beklemtoon dat diagnose, evaluasie en terapeutiese ondersteuning binne 'n ekosistemiese raamwerk belangrik is vir leerders met Downsindroom wat in die hoofstroom geplaas word. Die konsep van holistiese gesondheidsontwikkeling word beklemtoon in die transformasie van onderwys in Suid-Afrika. Opvoedkundige sielkundiges moet hulself dus ook strategies posisioneer. Gedurende die studie is die volgende rolle vir die opvoedkundige sielkundige ge"identifiseer: psigoterapeut, assessor/evalueerder, fasiliteerder, navorser/reflektiewe praktisyn, vakspesialis, konsultant, bestuurder en administratiewe rol en laastens die rol van ontwikkelingsfasiliteerder. Dit is ook belangrik dat die opvoedkundige sielkundige die rol as fasiliteerder van geestesgesondheid vertolk.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken with the view to explore the experiences of tutors of children with the dual diagnosis of Autism and Down syndrome during the implementation of an Applied Behaviour Analysis support programme The parents of the children willingly participated in a research project of the Department of Educational Psychology and Specialized Education at the University of Stellenbosch. A private individual funded the project. The aim of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of an Applied Behavior Analysis support programme over a period of 26 weeks on an individual that has Autism. The programme impacted the daily lives of the tutors. The question soon arose as to how the intensive contact between tutor and the child would be experienced by the tutor. A literature review was conducted to obtain a perspective of research done in this field. I fulfilled the dual role of researcher and trainee educational psychologist. The social contructivist framework was chosen as the preferred educational psychological framework from which to approach the study, while the participatory action research paradigm lent itself to describe the individual experiences of the tutors. The experiences were gathered from interviews, observations, video material, journals and reflections. The research report describes a variety of possible experiences the tutor underwent and the repercussions thereof. Suggestions were made as to how adaptations to the programme could serve to expand the training of educational psychologists and tutors. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is onderneem om die belewenisse van tutors van kinders met die dubbel diagnose van Outisme en Down sindroom tydens 'n Toegepaste Gedragsmodifikasie Analise program te ondersoek. Die ouers van die kinders het vrywilliglik deelgeneem aan 'n navorsingsprojek van die Departement Opvoedkunde en Spesialiseringsonderwys van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Fondse vir die projek is van 'n privaat persoon ontvang. Die doel van die projek was om die effektiwiteit van die program oor 'n tydperk van 26 weke te evalueer. Die tutors se daaglikse lewe is deur die program beïnvloed en die vraag het ontstaan hoe die intensiewe kontak tussen kind en tutor deur die tutor beleef sou word. 'n Literatuurstudie is onderneem om inligting oor bestaande navorsing in te win. Ek het tydens die projek die rol van beide navorser en opvoedkundige sielkundige in opleiding vervul. Die sosiaal konstruktiwistiese raamwerk is bespreek as 'n sinvolle opvoedkundige sielkundige raamwerk, terwyl die deelnemende aktiewe navorsingsparadigma homself daartoe leen om die belewenisse van die tutors te beskryf. Die belewenisse is ingesamel deur middel van onderhoude, observasie en video materiaal, 'n joernaal en refleksies. Hierdie navorsingsprojek beskryf 'n verskeidenheid van die moontlike belewenisse van die tutors sowel as die moontlike nagevolge daarvan. Voorstelle oor moontlike aanpassings in die program word gemaak om sodoende die opleiding van tutors sowel as opvoedkundige sielkundiges in opleiding te verbeter.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / Page ii of digitised copy missing due to the condition of the original hard copy. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: no abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie bestudeer die rol wat die opvoedkundige sielkundige kan speel in die ondersteuning van leerders met Downsindroom tydens die insluiting tot hoofstroomonderwys. Die studie vind plaas in 'n tydperk waar postmoderne denke en demokratisering van onderwys in Suid-Afrika te voorskyn kom. Hierdie tipe studie is relevant. aangesien huidige beleidsdokumente klem Ie op die demokratisering van onderwys en die transformasie na inklusiewe onderwys. Die Universiteit van Pretoria het in samewerking met die Universiteit van Stellenbosch 'n lootsprojek geinisieer waarin inklusiewe onderwys bestudeer is. Die projek het bestaan uit 'n gevallestudie van tien leerders met Downsindroom wat gedurende 1996 in verskillende hoofstroom kleuterskole geplaas is, waartydens hulle 'n leergereedheidsprogram gevolg het. Gedurende 1997 is die leerders in graad eenklasse in die hoofstroom geplaas. Die leerders se agtergrond was divers ten aansien van hul onderrig, maar die meeste van hulle was eers in spesiale skole. Die doel van die studie was om die leerders, ouers en onderwysers te ondersteun en verdere ondersteuning in a trans-disslplinere span te koordineer. Die waarneming en temas wat in hierdie studie na yore gekom het, beklemtoon dat diagnose, evaluasie en terapeutiese ondersteuning binne 'n ekosistemiese raamwerk belangrik is vir leerders met Downsindroom wat in die hoofstroom geplaas word. Die konsep van holistiese gesondheidsontwikkeling word beklemtoon in die transformasie van onderwys in Suid-Afrika. Opvoedkundige sielkundiges moet hulself dus ook strategies posisioneer. Gedurende die studie is die volgende rolle vir die opvoedkundige sielkundige ge"identifiseer: psigoterapeut, assessor/evalueerder, fasiliteerder, navorser/reflektiewe praktisyn, vakspesialis, konsultant, bestuurder en administratiewe rol en laastens die rol van ontwikkelingsfasiliteerder. Dit is ook belangrik dat die opvoedkundige sielkundige die rol as fasiliteerder van geestesgesondheid vertolk.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study was undertaken to identify internal and external assets of a ten year- old girl with Down Syndrome. The assets include those of the individual and the broader community. The learner’s assets, in her immediate environment, was difficult to identify because of minimal exposure to community activities. A list of assets were compiled and the 40 Developmental Assets as researched by the “Searched Institute of Minneapolis” (Roehlkepartain & Leffert, 2000), served as key elements for the cartographic listing of the assets of the learner with Down Syndrome. In this research, the asset-based approach was used as a framework. A qualitative research design was used for the research where the learner was observed in her natural environment. The learner was observed at school and at home with the aim to identify assets. During the research the parents as well as the school was empowered by shifting their focus from the learner’s needs and shortcomings to the learner’s strengths, abilities and talents. The identifying of the new assets will enable the learner to improve her socialising skills and allow her to improve her self-care. The results of the research show that the parents and the school developed a more positive attitude with regard to the identification and mobilization of assets of learners with disabilities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie is onderneem om interne en eksterne bates by 'n leerder met Downsindroom te identifiseer. Die bates sluit nie net diè van die individu in nie, maar neem ook die bates wat in die breër gemeenskap bestaan, in ag. Die leerder se eksterne bates in haar onmiddellike omgewing was moeilik identifiseerbaar, omdat sy weinig blootgestel word aan gemeenskapsaktiwiteite. 'n Lys van bates is saamgestel en die 40 Ontwikkelingsbates soos deur die "Search Institute of Minneapolis" (Roehlkepartain & Leffert, 2000) nagevors, is as sleutelelemente gebruik vir die kartografering van die bates vir die leerder met Downsindroom. In hierdie navorsing is die bate-gebaseerde benadering as 'n raamwerk gebruik. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is vir hierdie navorsing gebruik waar die leerder in haar natuurlike omgewing waargeneem is. Die leerder is by die skool en by die huis waargeneem met die doel om bates te identifiseer. Tydens die navorsing is die ouers en die skool bemagtig deur hul fokus te verskuif vanaf die leerder se behoeftes en tekorte na die leerder se sterkpunte, vermoëns en talente. Die identifisering van die nuwe bates by die leerder sal haar sosialiseringsvaardighede verbeter en haar in staat stel om veral haar selfversorging te verbeter. Die resultate van die navorsing dui daarop dat die ouers en die skool 'n meer positiewe houding ontwikkel het ten opsigte van die identifisering en mobilisering van bates by leerders met gestremdhede.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Down syndrome (DS) is the most common aneuploidy to affect humans and occurs in approximately 1 of 750 live births. Individuals with DS present with a wide range of clinical phenotypes. Common craniofacial phenotypic expressions include a small mandible, protruding tongue, and a flattened nasal bridge. These traits may affect the feeding, breathing, and swallowing of individuals with DS. Because some complications may go unnoticed for longer periods of time, we hypothesize that significant cardiac and GI defects may be indicative of feeding and airway difficulties. In order to better understand the secondary phenotypes resulting from DS, we have implemented a retrospective chart review of 137 infants between zero and six months of age who were evaluated through the Down Syndrome Program at Riley Hospital for Children from August 2005 to August 2008. Data regarding cardiac, gastrointestinal, endocrine, airway, auditory, and feeding abnormalities have been collected and incedences and comorbidites of these traits has been examined. Comprehensive results indicate cardiac abnormalities occur in 80% of infants, 60% experience gastrointestinal complications, feeding difficulties occur in 46%, and airway complications occur in 38% of infants. Infants with DS were found to be breastfed less over time, with an increase in tube feeds. Notably, we have found all infants with videofluoroscopic evaluations had some type of dysphagia. The presence of gastrointestinal abnormalities closely correlate with the need for tube feeds, and the comorbidity between GI anomalies and muscle tone appear to indicate the likelihood of feeding difficulties and need for altered feeding strategies. Comorbidities between feeding difficulties were nearly significant with cardiac defects and significant with GI abnormalities. Identification of such associations will help healthcare providers determine the best course of treatment and recommended feeding methodology for infants with DS. In order to utilize an in vitro model to study the craniofacial dysmorphologies seen in individuals with DS, cranial neural crest cells (NC) have been cultured. With these, we have begun to investigate the mechanisms behind a smaller trisomic mandibular precursor as compared to the euploid. With this in vitro model, we will be able to test proliferation, migration, and senescence of NC in a culture system.

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / The inclusion policy which is currently being implemented according to White Paper 6 (July 2001) has raised many questions and debates. In South Africa at the moment there is a focus on the implementation of inclusion policies in primary schools. Although many studies have been conducted on Down syndrome, there seems to have been little focus on the adolescent. Specifically their experiences in the high school context appear to have received little attention. This paper focused on the experiences of an adolescent with Down syndrome who has been mainstreamed into a high school. The experiences are discussed within identified indicators of quality of life namely; peer relationships, experiences of academic, general school and extra-mural activities. In addition the effects of Down syndrome on areas such as adolescence, inclusion strategies, behaviour and social skills are also investigated. The findings of this paper were that of adolescents with Down syndrome can be successfully mainstreamed if their individual needs are catered for. These needs include opportunities to spend time with learners with the same abilities as their own. Satisfaction was experienced by the participant and her parents regarding her academic placement and scholastic achievements. A factor that played a role in her successful placement was the supportive environment she was in. Although satisfaction was experienced with regards to the process of inclusion there were parental concerns regarding her future independence.

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The research focuses on the needs of Xhosa-speaking learners with Down syndrome. The needs of these learners are not known by the service providers. Different organisations base their service delivery to these communities on the needs of learners with Down syndrome from other cultures. It was therefore imperative for this study to discover the needs of Xhosa-speaking learners with Down syndrome from a disadvantaged background. The study involves a case study of two Xhosa speaking learners with Down syndrome. A major aim was to depict the quality of life of the learners with Down syndrome. This was done from an ecosystemic perspective. In the case study the needs of these two learners with Down syndrome in a Xhosa community are portrayed through the voices of their parents, educators, neighbours, and the two learners with Down syndrome. The following means of data production were used: interviews and observations. The parents, siblings of the learners with Down syndrome, and the learners with Down syndrome were seen as experts in the process.

Text in English / It is common knowledge that the social work profession in Africa, including its theories, methods, and models, has been implanted from the global North (Europe) and North America. Scholarship within social work has confirmed that there are challenges of relevance and appropriateness of Westernised social work interventions, and consequently, their effectiveness in a context outside the Euro-North American axis. It is against this backdrop that the researcher explored the African family, its experiences, and its coping strategies when raising a child with Down syndrome as well as the nature of social work services they received and whether such services were congruent with the family’s existential condition and subjectivities. A retrospective qualitative study following a phenomenological design was conducted. Research data were collected from a sample drawn using purposive and snowball techniques, through the use of semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data analysis process adapted from Terre Blanche, Durrheim and Painter (2006:33) was used. The findings revealed the existence of a paradoxical relationship between Eurocentrism underlying social work practice and the Afrocentric worldview. The typical African family raising a child with DS was found to be characterised by a unique form and structure consistent with a clan system different from the conventional Eurocentric concept of family. It was also found that despite the pressure and assault exerted by modernity, colonization and apartheid on the traditional African clan system, it remained resilient and retained its unique character distinct from the western nuclear family system. In relation to dealing with challenges associated with raising a child with DS, the African clan’s concerns were found to transcend pre-occupation with the etiology and treatment of the condition as emphasized in the western paradigm. Without discounting the significance of the etiology and treatment of the condition, the African clan draws on its spirituality and affection to consider the purpose and function of the condition in the bigger scheme of things. Social work as a helping profession seemed to be unpopular amongst African clans raising children with DS. The findings were used to develop indigenised social work practice guidelines for social workers assisting African families raising children with DS. / Social Work / Ph. D. (Social Work)

Expanding interests may be a behavioral cusp, resulting in widespread changes across skills, and therefore is particularly relevant in intervention programs for children with autism. Little research has addressed directly increasing the diversity of activities and interests for this population. This study describes a program developed to increase activities and interests in a girl dually-diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD-NOS) and Downs syndrome (DS). A multiple-baseline design across stimuli was employed to evaluate the program. The results show that the program increased number of total and different toy interactions. No effects were observed for overall duration of toy interactions. Results are discussed in relation to play skill instruction and preference assessment literature, the cusp, and autism intervention programs.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Using Heideggerian interpretive phenomenology, this study illuminates the lived experience of an adapted dance program for individuals with Down syndrome and their family members. The overall pattern from both dancers and family members was adapted dance: connecting mind, body and soul. The primary theme from dancer interpretations was expressing a mosaic of positive experiences, and the primary theme from family member interpretations was experiencing pride in their loved ones. The dance program provided dancers an opportunity to express their authentic self while experiencing moments of full embodiment in the connection of their mind, body and soul. While dancers experienced the connection of mind-body-soul, family members recognized the importance of this connection in their loved one. This research is instrumental in advocating for opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome to experience dance as a social, physical and intellectual activity that results in learning and increasing social interactions. The research findings from this study can support future initiatives for dance programs that may influence a population that has limited access to physical activity and dance. The study’s teaching strategies, dance activities, class procedures and sequences, and feedback techniques can be used by other professionals who teach individuals with intellectual disabilities.