Thesis (M.Ed. (Literacy and Language))--University of South Australia, 1995.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the range of beliefs that a certain group of South African parents held about the appropriate educational placement of their children with mild to moderate intellectual handicaps. The sample consisted of 14 parents of children with mild to moderate intellectual handicaps attending at a special school for intellectually handicapped children in a disadvantaged context in the Western Cape. In line with the qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews with open elided questions were used to collect the data. Interviews were used rather than questionnaires because parents were illiterate and they felt more comfortable and confident with a personal interview and were able to use their own language. The data were analyzed according to Glaser and Strauss' Constant Comparative method as described by Maykut and Morehouse (1994). As has been found in other research studies, the parents in this study were not in principle against mainstreaming or inclusion of their children. Rather, they were at present not supportive of it as they perceive the conditions at the ordinary school to be unstable for their children. The qualitative analysis outcome revealed that parents were concerned about· teacher qualities, acceptance of their children by the ordinary school children and the ordinary school curriculum which they felt was only focusing on academic subjects. Parent involvement and inclusion are central concepts in the reconstruction of education in South Africa. Inclusion of intellectually handicapped learners is being considered by policy makers but it is not likely to be successful without parent support. This study is a small contribution to the debate.

Thesis (MEd)--University of South Australia, 1996

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 183-209). Also available in print.

Graduation date: 2000

Balance is the ability to establish an equilibrium between the body and its environment. Balance is a key component which is associated with a variety of movements and postural control. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have difficulties with movement and postural control due to physical and neurological limitations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a static and dynamic balance training program on the balance of boys and girls aged 7-11 years (N=4) who have mild to moderate cerebral palsy. A single-subject multiple baseline design was used for this study. Subjects were assessed on four valid field test measures (two static; two dynamic balances). Testing sessions were videotaped to ensure accuracy and reliability of the test measures. The interobserver agreement ranged from 80% to 87% on all four field tests. Baseline was established when subjects established at least three consistent measures, (within a 25% range on 3 of the 4 measures), or following the second week of baseline collection, which ever occurred first. Subjects were tested three times daily with mean scores plotted. Initially, two subjects were paired to begin the intervention period. The remaining two subjects continued in baseline period for one week, with the treatment intervention delayed. During training, subjects received training with a 1:1 teacher-student ratio. Training consisted of 45 minute balance training sessions, 4 times per week for a total of 4 weeks. Each subject was tested daily on one field test daily. Lesson plans were developed to address one of the four subsystems of balance. Post data was collected on all four field tests at one week intervals for a total of 3. Through visual analysis of the data, results indicate that some improvements occurred as a result of the implemented balance training program. Dynamic balance tests showed greater positive changes than the static balance tests. This may be due to the fact that since children like to use a variety of locomotor movements, and thus practice dynamic balance more than static balance. Anecdotal information from the parents seemed to support improvements in balance abilities. There is very little research that focuses on the balance of children with cerebral palsy. More studies are needed to further investigate balance training for persons with CP. / Graduation date: 1995

The purpose of this study was to determine if certain identified educational strategies would have an effect on the success of at-risk students at the secondary level. Specifically, would school involvement and a mentor program have an effect on students' attendance, grade point average, and self-esteem. An examination of related literature indicated no one factor or specific combination of factors clearly determined which student would be at-risk. The literature further indicated that most researchers agree on a general list of educational factors that can effect student success. The study group of ninth grade at-risk students was determined by the following criteria: 1) a grade point average of 2.0 or lower, 2) 15 days or more absences during their eighth grade year, 3) a California Aptitude Test score between 30 and 50 percentile in Math, and 4) a California Aptitude Test score between 30 and 50 percentile in Reading. This study's results determined that certain educational strategies did effect at-risk students' success. Analysis of the individual student results, showed improvement, in at least, one of the identified areas. In the area of attendance, four of the subjects showed marked improvement. Four subjects showed progress in grade point averages; six of the subjects showed a positive change towards school and concerning the subjects' attitudes towards home; five students made a positive transformation. However, inspite of some individual improvement, there was no statistical improvement in the group in toto. / Graduation date: 1993

This work analyses social activity of parents raising mentally handicapped children and it influencing forces. The work introduces education documents regulating of handicapped children and possibilities of their parents to receive a social security ensuring parents‘professional and creative self-expression and full-fledged social and cultural life. Here is analyzed research which aims to measure factors influencing social activity of parents nurturing handicapped children. 222 respondents participated in research: 104 parents nurturing handicapped child of 7-12 years and 118 parents nurturing sane child of the same age. To meet an aim following tasks were set: 1. Familiarize with literature and legal base regulating education of mentally handicapped children and social security of these families as well as to estimate how altered nurturing model influences parents‘social activity. 2. Carry out survey of parents nurturing handicapped children as well as parents nurturing sane children and compare their social activity. 3. Offer suggestions on how to increase social activity of parents nurturing mentally handicapped children. Methods used in research to execute a purpose: 1. Analysis of documents and sources of literature. 2. Questionnaire. 3. SPSS statistical package used for data processing. The object of research – mentally handicapped children nurturing parents’ social activity. The research determined that parents‘social activity decreases when born... [to full text]

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Thesis (MPsych(Clin))--University of South Australia, 2000