Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 1987 / Refer to document / Human Science Research Council (HSRC) and University of the North

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The research problem undertaken was to study how effective the University of Oregon Medical School –Crippled Children’s Division Clinic is by determining how well patients followed through on Clinic recommendations. Three research hypotheses were posed for testing. (1) There is a difference between income and the following of Clinic recommendations. (2) There is a difference between educational levels of fathers and mothers and the following of Clinic recommendations. (3) There is a difference in the level of I.Q. of patients and the following of Clinic recommendations. A random sample of 100 cases was selected from the patients who had been through the Clinic prior to January, 1968. Case records were abstracted from the files of the University of Oregon Medical School –Crippled Children’s Division, prior to personal interviews in the homes with the families using a standard questionnaire. The X² was used in testing the hypotheses and the findings resulted in no statistical difference between the three variables and the criteria of following recommendations. Therefore the null hypotheses were accepted.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

M.A. / It can be concluded from the findings of this study that there are no relevant facilities for mentally retarded children at Ga-Molepo, i.e. no professional services rendered,no voluntary services, no special schools or centres, no receipt of social security and no commitment from members of the community towards retarded children in the area. The list is endless. It can also be concluded that the researcher managed to achieve the aim and objectives of the study as she gained information which will be used by professionals who render services at Ga-Molepo. The information gleaned will enable these professionals, such as social workers, to make informed decisions on the development and utilisation of resources in the community to ensure that the needs of mentally retarded children in the area are met. The objectives of the study were also met, that is: The researcher managed to administer an interview schedule to parents of mentally retarded children at Ga-Molepo in order to identify the needs of the said children as highlighted in Chapter Two of the study. a, She also administered another interview schedule to key persons in the community of Ga-Molepo in order to identify existing resources, if any, for mentally retarded children in the area. The researcher managed to analyse data collected on the needs of mentally retarded children and the resources available in the area with the aim of formulating recommendations in that regard. Based on the findings and conclugions of this study, the researcher deems it necessary that certain recommendations pertaining to this investigation be made. These recommendations are: As the study indicates that the majority of the mentally retarded children at Ga-Molepo are moderately mentally retarded, would not progress beyond sub-standard B level, and could benefit from training in occupational and social skills, it becomes clear that a multi-purpose centre could be of benefit to these children. At such a centre, children could learn various survival skills, as various professionals or members of a multidisciplinary team, such as social workers, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, speech therapists, etc. would visit regularly. The centre could also have a workshop wing where these children could practise their vocational skills and also leam how to earn a living at a later stage, when they become adults. It is recommended that an investigation be undertaken to establish the viability of such a centre and the number of mentally retarded children in the area who could benefit from the proposed centre. As it was noted that the community was predominantly indifferent to the plight of mentally retarded children at Ga-Molepo, which is confirmed by the lack of Voluntary services for these children, the researcher recommends that the professionals, such as social workers, clinical psychologists, etc. give educational talks to the entire community on the subject of mental retardation. Such an exercise would enlighten community members on what mental reatardation really is and could motivate them to participate actively in issues pertaining to mentally retarded people. 5.4.3 Owing to the fact that no professional services are being rendered to mentally retarded children at Ga-Molepo, it is recommended that the government ensure that professional services, especially those required by mentally retarded children, be made available in the area. The ideal is for services to be taken to the people. In other words, people should not have to travel long distances to procure professional Children with mental disabilities -- Services for -- South Africa -- Ga-Molepo

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie is die opvoedingspraktyke van verskillende samelewings met betrekking tot verstandelik erg gestremde kinders histories-analities ondersoek. Die tendense wat telkens onderliggend aan veranderinge was, is geidentifiseer en aan die hand van pedagogiese kriteria geevalueer. In die antieke Griekse en Romeinse beskawings is 'n praktyk van uitwissing gevplg. Die Christelike godsdiens bet 'n meer verdraagsame houding meegebring, maar in die Middeleeue bet onkunde en bygeloof nog steeds hoogty gevier. Eers vanaf die agtiende en negentiende eeu bet groter kennis en 'n nuwe kindbeeld tot 'n meer rasionele benadering tot die verskynsel van verstandelike gestremdheid gelei. Pioniers, veral medici, bet na vore getree en die weg gebaan vir 'n beter bedeling vir hierdie kinders. Dit was egter eers in die tweede helfte van die twintigste eeu dat onderwys aan verstandelik erg gestremdes 'n werklikheid geword bet. Die beginsel van normalisasie is toenemend op dienste wat aan hierdie kinders verskaf is, toegepas en het tot gevolg gehad dat wetgewing met betrekking tot die onderwys aan verstandelik erg gestremde kinders tans in die toonaangewende lande en in SuidAfrika op 'n handves vir menseregte geskoei is. Hierdie bevindings bet segwaarde vir die huidige situasie ten opsigte van die beplanning van onderwysvoorsieninge vir verstandelik erg gestremde kinders in die Republiek van Suid- Afrika. / In this study the education practices with regard to severely mentally handicapped children of various societies have been investigated from a historic-analytical perspective. The trends related to a certain anthropologic view and a specific child image, which have been the cause of certain changes have also been identified and were evaluated according to pedagogic criteria. In the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations a trend of infanticide influenced the education of severely mentally handicapped children. The Christian religion brought a more tolerant attitude, but during the Middle Ages superstition and ignorance were still at the order of the day. It was only from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that more knowledge and a new child image brought about a more rational approach to this problem. Pioneers, mostly medical surgeons, came to the fore and paved the way for a better dispensation for these children. In the latter part of the twentieth century education for the severely mentally handicapped had for the first time become a reality. The normalization principle was increasingly applied to all services rendered to these children and this resulted in legislation regarding the education of severely mentally handicapped children in all leading countries and in South Africa being based on a declaration of human rights. These findings have an important meaning for the present situation with reference to the planning of education services for severely mentally handicapped children in South-Africa. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Historiese Opvoedkunde)

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie is die opvoedingspraktyke van verskillende samelewings met betrekking tot verstandelik erg gestremde kinders histories-analities ondersoek. Die tendense wat telkens onderliggend aan veranderinge was, is geidentifiseer en aan die hand van pedagogiese kriteria geevalueer. In die antieke Griekse en Romeinse beskawings is 'n praktyk van uitwissing gevplg. Die Christelike godsdiens bet 'n meer verdraagsame houding meegebring, maar in die Middeleeue bet onkunde en bygeloof nog steeds hoogty gevier. Eers vanaf die agtiende en negentiende eeu bet groter kennis en 'n nuwe kindbeeld tot 'n meer rasionele benadering tot die verskynsel van verstandelike gestremdheid gelei. Pioniers, veral medici, bet na vore getree en die weg gebaan vir 'n beter bedeling vir hierdie kinders. Dit was egter eers in die tweede helfte van die twintigste eeu dat onderwys aan verstandelik erg gestremdes 'n werklikheid geword bet. Die beginsel van normalisasie is toenemend op dienste wat aan hierdie kinders verskaf is, toegepas en het tot gevolg gehad dat wetgewing met betrekking tot die onderwys aan verstandelik erg gestremde kinders tans in die toonaangewende lande en in SuidAfrika op 'n handves vir menseregte geskoei is. Hierdie bevindings bet segwaarde vir die huidige situasie ten opsigte van die beplanning van onderwysvoorsieninge vir verstandelik erg gestremde kinders in die Republiek van Suid- Afrika. / In this study the education practices with regard to severely mentally handicapped children of various societies have been investigated from a historic-analytical perspective. The trends related to a certain anthropologic view and a specific child image, which have been the cause of certain changes have also been identified and were evaluated according to pedagogic criteria. In the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations a trend of infanticide influenced the education of severely mentally handicapped children. The Christian religion brought a more tolerant attitude, but during the Middle Ages superstition and ignorance were still at the order of the day. It was only from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that more knowledge and a new child image brought about a more rational approach to this problem. Pioneers, mostly medical surgeons, came to the fore and paved the way for a better dispensation for these children. In the latter part of the twentieth century education for the severely mentally handicapped had for the first time become a reality. The normalization principle was increasingly applied to all services rendered to these children and this resulted in legislation regarding the education of severely mentally handicapped children in all leading countries and in South Africa being based on a declaration of human rights. These findings have an important meaning for the present situation with reference to the planning of education services for severely mentally handicapped children in South-Africa. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Historiese Opvoedkunde)

The unique physical features of the child with Down syndrome (DS) may lead to stigmatization and social isolation of the child, as well as their entire families. A child with DS may require some help and constant attention from the primary caregiver and may even be permanently dependent, depending on the severity of DS. The researcher has explored and described the experiences of primary caregivers of children with DS in the Kwazakhele community while caring for these children. The research study employed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design. The research population included primary caregivers of children with DS who were between ages of two years and older because a DS diagnosis can be delayed and only be discovered later in life. Purposive sampling was used to select the research participants. The data was collected using in-depth one-on-one interviews, and all interviews were recorded using a voice recorder. Thematic analysis as a version of content analysis was used, meaning the researcher used themes and sub-themes to analyze data with the help of an independent coder. A pilot study was conducted before undertaking the actual research using the same methods and designs as those of the main study. Strategies were implemented throughout the study to ensure trustworthiness and adherence to ethical principles. The study findings revealed that the participants experienced diverse emotions upon initially finding out that their child has DS. The participants indicated that they had to modify their lives including having to give up their personal lives just to ensure that their children got the best care and their full attention. It appeared that some participants got full support from their partners and families, while other participants had no support system. With further exploration, it emerged that the study participants shared some positive experiences with their children with DS. However, they indicated a need for relevant education facilities for their children as well as community support. Recommendations were made with regard to nursing education, nursing practice and nursing research.

Thesis (M. A. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / The aim of this study was to determine the psychological experiences of family caregivers of children with an intellectual disability. The study was conducted along the lines of an exploratory sequential mixed-method design. Firstly, 15 family caregivers were purposively sampled as participants. They described their experiences of caring for children with a formal diagnosis of mild intellectual disability. The research question, which was used as a “grand-tour” question, was: “What are the psychological experiences of family caregivers of children with an intellectual disability?” Themes that emerged included the following: understanding intellectual disability; disclosure of the disability as a result of schooling difficulties; reaction to the disclosure of the disability; challenging behaviour of the child’s integration into the family system, unemployment and financial strains due to the child’s condition and community reaction; social support and stigmatisation. In the quantitative aspect of the study, the researcher used a close-ended questionnaire to collect data from one hundred self-declared primary family caregivers (one per household) of children with an intellectual disability. Results of regression analysis indicated that psychological wellbeing as measured by the Psychological General Well Being Index and its dimensions was predicted mainly by psychological stress and family support. Significant other support and support from friends only predicted life satisfaction. Policy recommendations are advanced based on the findings of the study.