The inclusive paradigm requires that deaf learners are educated in regular schools. In the process of implementing inclusive policies educators often feel that they lack the necessary knowledge and experience to provide effective support for deaf learners. As a result these learners are seldom effectively catered for in regular settings and frequently tend to experience frustration and failure. This research attempted to investigate the nature and manifestations of deafness in primary school learners in order to determine effective strategies to identify and address the diverse needs of deaf learners in the regular schools. A qualitative study was conducted and data was gathered by observations and interviews with three experienced educators. The results of the empirical findings were confirmed with the literature study in order to compile practical guidelines to assist educators to support deaf learners in inclusive education settings in South Africa effectively. / Educational Studies / (M. Ed. (Inclusive Education))

The inclusive paradigm requires that deaf learners are educated in regular schools. In the process of implementing inclusive policies educators often feel that they lack the necessary knowledge and experience to provide effective support for deaf learners. As a result these learners are seldom effectively catered for in regular settings and frequently tend to experience frustration and failure. This research attempted to investigate the nature and manifestations of deafness in primary school learners in order to determine effective strategies to identify and address the diverse needs of deaf learners in the regular schools. A qualitative study was conducted and data was gathered by observations and interviews with three experienced educators. The results of the empirical findings were confirmed with the literature study in order to compile practical guidelines to assist educators to support deaf learners in inclusive education settings in South Africa effectively. / Educational Studies / (M. Ed. (Inclusive Education))

Learners with Asperger's Syndrome are educated in inclusive education settings. As a result of the recent trend of `inclusion' all teachers may be required to educate all learners in their regular classrooms. This research attempted to explore the nature of Asperger's Syndrome as well as inclusive education in order to develop practical guidelines for teachers of learners with Asperger's Syndrome in regular schools. The interview responses of eight parents of learners with Asperger's Syndrome as well as the observation of these learners are reported. The results of the interviews and observations, were corroborated with the literature study in order to outline guidelines which would ensure that teachers will cater for the needs of these learners and support their inclusion in the inclusive settings successfully. Results of this study indicated that knowledge of Asperger's Syndrome and guidelines for accommodating the impairments of these learners is the first step towards successful inclusion. / Educational Studies / Thesis (M. Ed.)

Learners with Asperger's Syndrome are educated in inclusive education settings. As a result of the recent trend of `inclusion' all teachers may be required to educate all learners in their regular classrooms. This research attempted to explore the nature of Asperger's Syndrome as well as inclusive education in order to develop practical guidelines for teachers of learners with Asperger's Syndrome in regular schools. The interview responses of eight parents of learners with Asperger's Syndrome as well as the observation of these learners are reported. The results of the interviews and observations, were corroborated with the literature study in order to outline guidelines which would ensure that teachers will cater for the needs of these learners and support their inclusion in the inclusive settings successfully. Results of this study indicated that knowledge of Asperger's Syndrome and guidelines for accommodating the impairments of these learners is the first step towards successful inclusion. / Educational Studies / Thesis (M. Ed.)

Afrikaans text / Alhoewel daar al vorige navorsing oor die dowe of hardhorende kind gedoen is, handel dit meestal oor die vroee identifisering van die kind se gehoorverlies,sy/haar plasingsmoontlikhede, en kommunikasie,asook die hantering van die kind met gehoorverlies binne die skoolopset. Die meeste beskikbare literatuur wat handel oor riglyne by die hantering van die dowe of hardhorende kind binne die gesinsopset, is verouderd. Hierdie studie is 'n fenomenologiese navorsingstudie. Uit die semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is verskeie temas geidentifiseer wat betrekking het op die hantering van die dowe of hardhorende kind in die gesin. Praktiese riglyne is vir ouers daargestel ten op sigte van die dowe of hardhorende kind se kommunikasie, gesinslewe,die skool, asook sy/haar emosionele en sosiale funksionering. / Although previous research has been done abouth the hard-hearing child, most of the available research concentrates on early identification of hearing lost, placement and communication as well as to cope with hearing loss within the school environment. The majority of the literature which is currently available concerning guidelines for the deaf or hard-hearing children within the family group, is outdated. A phenomenological study has been done. By means of semi-structured interviews practical guidelines have been collected. Several themes were identified in the course of these interviews, namely: communication by the child with hearing loss, the effect of the hearing loss on the family members, the impact of hearing loss in the school environment and the implications of hearing loss on the child's emotional and social functioning. Guidelines were suggested for the practical management of deaf and hard-hearing children concerning communication, family life, scool and emotional and social functioning. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Afrikaans text / Alhoewel daar al vorige navorsing oor die dowe of hardhorende kind gedoen is, handel dit meestal oor die vroee identifisering van die kind se gehoorverlies,sy/haar plasingsmoontlikhede, en kommunikasie,asook die hantering van die kind met gehoorverlies binne die skoolopset. Die meeste beskikbare literatuur wat handel oor riglyne by die hantering van die dowe of hardhorende kind binne die gesinsopset, is verouderd. Hierdie studie is 'n fenomenologiese navorsingstudie. Uit die semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is verskeie temas geidentifiseer wat betrekking het op die hantering van die dowe of hardhorende kind in die gesin. Praktiese riglyne is vir ouers daargestel ten op sigte van die dowe of hardhorende kind se kommunikasie, gesinslewe,die skool, asook sy/haar emosionele en sosiale funksionering. / Although previous research has been done abouth the hard-hearing child, most of the available research concentrates on early identification of hearing lost, placement and communication as well as to cope with hearing loss within the school environment. The majority of the literature which is currently available concerning guidelines for the deaf or hard-hearing children within the family group, is outdated. A phenomenological study has been done. By means of semi-structured interviews practical guidelines have been collected. Several themes were identified in the course of these interviews, namely: communication by the child with hearing loss, the effect of the hearing loss on the family members, the impact of hearing loss in the school environment and the implications of hearing loss on the child's emotional and social functioning. Guidelines were suggested for the practical management of deaf and hard-hearing children concerning communication, family life, scool and emotional and social functioning. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Voorligting)