Thesis (M.S. in nursing)--Washington State University, May 2010. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on May 17, 2010). College of Nursing." Includes bibliographical references (p. 47-59).

This research is an exploratory study of the issues and problems encountered by Young People with multiple disabilities when they leave school and for whom formal post-school service provision is relevant within the Scottish setting. The research problem is tackled by a qualitative and an empirically grounded study with a central focus was on the way in which decisions about the nature and range of services are made and their potential for making a major impact on quality of life. From conception, the study was innovatory and it was necessary to combine methods of data collection and to analyse in ways that had previously not been used in the field. The design and methods are eclectic with an emphasis on in-depth case-studies. The research process began with the development of a functional classification used to define the sub-population. This was followed by an investigation of the structure and organisation of the Future Needs Assessment process which is central to the planning of formal post-school provision. together with Carer perspectives and opinions of the process. The next phase was to examine the nature and range of formal post-school service provision in relation to the issue of quality of life and in the meeting of developmental needs. Discussion then took place with the Young People and the Carers about their judgements of post-school provision and 'ideal' provision. The final phase developed recommendations on the practical application of, the research findings. The major research findings, derived from the fieldwork evidence. indicate that there is a radical change in emphasis in the transition from school to adult-based formal service provision which result in the limitation of services and of personal choice. There is a major disjunction in the quality of life experienced by the Young People. The Future Needs Assessment process fails to adequately plan for the transition to formal post-school provision which fails to meet individual personal and social development. The major recommendations, derived from the research, state that the Future Needs Assessment process must play a more effective role in identifying the post-school needs of the School-leavers to ensure that formal post-school provision and delivery planning is individually-centred and 'needs-led'. In addition, there should be greater choice of provision which follows the 'independent /enabling /empowering model and which will offer the School leaver the potential to experience a high quality of life.

In today's climate of consumer consultation in the development of client sensitive hospital and community based services, some voices have remained silent. Among this group are disabled children and young people, who receive professional care in a climate of 'in their best interest', firmly based on notions of abnormality and the inherent tragedy of disability. New paradigm childhood research and the social model of disability provide the theoretical framework for this qualitative study into the health and health care experiences of disabled children and young people. Both approaches demand a flexible and participatory approach in order to challenge the traditional relations of research production. Twenty young people aged 9-18 years met with the researcher up to four times, with a choice after the initial meeting of individual or group meetings. All had a physical disability, some also had communication or learning difficulties. Conversations with the young people covered a range of topics. The obvious ones related to hospitals, appointments, splints and therapy. About what it is like having a carer. Commonly held assumptions that hospitalisation is a significant feature of disabled childhoods is challenged by the data, appointments however reflect an ongoing surveillance. The young people spoke of experiences of empowerment and of powerlessness within a triad of parent:professional:young person. Concern that many treatments are an experiment and that outcomes are hard to balance with the pain and inconvenience of surgery or therapeutic devices raises questions regarding professional versus young person's definitions of success. It also demands debate regarding how much remedial intervention is enough. This is a difficult issue in a medical and social climate that idealises normality, but normality is not often an option. Health care constitutes only a narrow perspective of health and made up only a part of the discussion. It is the day to day health experiences that are more prominent in the lives of participants than intermittent professional services. The young people showed a recognition of factors that contributed to their health and sense of well being. Commonly the talk was about living in a world that considers them as different and the effect that has on them. These young people are making links between racism and their own disability experience, however they have no contact with disabled adults, some with no other disabled young people and no understanding of disability history or politics. This lack became even more evident when the participants talked about who understands what their life is like, of role models, realistic aspirations and dreams for quiet moments. School issues raised concerns such as equity in access, being different, having to prove oneself, limited school sport involvement and issues of friendship and teasing. One very powerful finding is that just like anyone else they are all different but that stereotypes of disability limit the lives of disabled young people and influence the responses of other people to them. This demanded from the researcher an interaction with the different experiences and responses to experiences of participants or risk creating another, albeit different stereotype. / thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2001.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 213-225).