As politicas de apoio a criancas com Transtornos do Neurodesenvolvimento precisam que seus cuidadores sejam responsaveis por prover o ensino especial necessario para o manejo dos problemas de comportamento e evitar que sejam objeto de rejeicao social em funcao de seus deficits comportamentais. Essa carga de trabalho pode acarretar impacto a saude mental e qualidade de vida dos cuidadores e justifica a importancia de estudos voltados para o mapeamento de tais dificuldades, afim de sustentar propostas de prevencao e intervencao destinadas a este publico. Este estudo, de corte transversal, teve como objetivo identificar associacoes entre os problemas de comportamento de criancas com Transtornos do Neurodesenvolvimento e a saude mental e qualidade de seus cuidadores, alem de descrever as praticas parentais educativas utilizadas. A amostra foi composta por 91 diades cuidadorescriancas. Todas as criancas (idade entre 3 e 18 anos) estavam matriculadas em escolas da rede publica do municipio de Barueri-SP como aluno com necessidade educacional especial e apresentavam laudo diagnostico de Deficiencia Intelectual (DI) idiopatica, Transtorno do Espectro Autista ou Sindrome de Down comorbido com DI. Para a avaliacao comportamental infantil foi empregada a Escala de Comportamentos Aberrantes, o Inventario de Problemas de Comportamento e o Inventario dos Comportamentos de Criancas e Adolescentes. Para a avaliacao dos cuidadores, aplicou-se o Inventario de Autoavaliacao para Adultos de 18 a 59 anos, o Instrumento abreviado de avaliacao de qualidade de vida (WHOQOL-Bref) e o World-Safe CORE para as praticas parentais. As analises demonstram nao haver diferenca na saude mental do cuidador em funcao do diagnostico de seu filho. A avaliacao comportamental dos cuidadores evidenciou que suas dificuldades internalizantes foram as areas mais impactadas pelos problemas de comportamento infantis. Entre 3,4% e 20% da variancia dos indicadores de saude mental dos cuidadores foi significativamente explicada pelas queixas externalizantes da crianca, especialmente hiperatividade e agressividade, e as dificuldades internalizantes infantis, principalmente o retraimento. As dificuldades comportamentais infantis nao foram preditores da qualidade de vida total dos cuidadores. Ja a frequencia de comportamento agressivo da crianca foi preditor do Dominio Psicologico do WHOQOLBref. Quanto as praticas parentais, muitos reportaram utilizar metodos coercitivos para tentar controlar o comportamento de seus filhos. As queixas internalizantes dos cuidadores, especialmente Ansiedade/ Depressao e Queixas Somaticas, devem ser alvo de atencao das iniciativas em saude. Assim propostas de intervencao para melhoria da saude mental poderiam ser destinadas a todos os cuidadores independente do diagnostico clinico de seus filhos, dado que muitos reportaram o uso de estrategias coercitivas e que seus problemas de comportamento sao similares / Policies to support children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders need their caregivers to be responsible for providing the special education in order to manage behavioral problems and avoid social rejection due to their child behavioral difficulties. This caregiver\'s workload can impact one\'s mental health and quality of life therefore supporting the importance of studies aimed to investigate this impact in order to support prevention and intervention programs for this specific public. This crosssectional study aimed to identify associations between the behavioral problems of children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and the mental health and quality of life of their caregivers, as well as to describe their parental practices. The sample consisted of 91 caregiver and child. All children (Aged between 3 and 18 years) were enrolled in public schools in the city of Barueri-SP as students with special educational needs and diagnostic reports of Idiopathic Intellectual Disability (ID), Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome comorbid with ID. For the child\'s behavioral assessment, the following questionnaires were used: Aberrant Behavior Checklist, Behavior Problems Inventory and Child Behavior Checklist. For the caregiver\'s evaluation were used the Adult Self-Report, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instruments (WHOQOL-Bref) and the World-Safe CORE for parental practices. The analysis shows that there is no difference in the caregiver\'s mental health due to their child\'s diagnosis. The caregiver\'s behavioral evaluation demonstrated that their internalizing difficulties are the most impacted area due to their children\'s behavioral problems. Between 3.4% and 20% of the variance on the caregiver\'s assessment were significantly predicted by child\'s externalizing complaints, mainly hyperactivity and aggressiveness, and the child\'s internalizing difficulties, especially social withdrawal. Caregiver\'s overall quality of life were not predicted by child\'s behavioral difficulties, whereas the frequency of child\'s aggressive behavior predicts 4% of variance on the Psychological Domain of WHOQOL-Bref. Regarding parental practices, many caregivers reported the use of coercive methods to try to control their children\'s behavior. Caregiver\'s internalizing problems, especially Anxiety/ Depression and Somatic Complaints, should be addressed by health initiatives. Thus, interventions for improving mental health could be targeted to all caregivers regardless their child\'s clinical diagnosis, given that many of them have reported using coercive measures and the similarity of their behavioral problems

The ability to participate in adequate relationships with peers and with adults is highlighted in research as important for all children’s development and learning. Research also shows that children who have difficulties with social interactions may be excluded from the peer group social context, if observant adults do not take an active and supportive role to facilitate peer interactions. To ensure that all children regardless of needs nor disability are given the opportunity to develop and learn, the preschool systematically and continuously needs to evaluate how they operate with the task of supporting children’s social relationships and participation. Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) is a structured observation rating scale developed recently in the UK and used in several contexts (i.e. United States) to measure quality in inclusive preschool settings based on twelve areas that are particularly important to consider for children with special educational needs.The aim of this study is to analyse and discuss two of the twelve contents of the ICP program, and to investigate its usefulness in the Swedish preschool. These contents are adult relationships with children and adult support in child interactions with peers. This study is a part of a project called Play and interaction for all children in inclusive preschool environments, initiated by the Department of Special Education, Stockholm University. The study is based on a qualitative research approach and is based on interviews with five preschool teachers and four observations in preschool learning environments.The result shows that the ICP can be a tool for development of an inclusive early childhood program in a Swedish context, both as a self-assessment tool and as a quality improvement tool. The two areas that have been estimated in the ICP have been perceived as relevant to the studies participants because of its importance for children`s development and its correlation with the Swedish preschool curriculum. However, there are certain concepts and formulations in the ICP that has brought objections during the interviews, for example, adults consistently ignore children´s efforts to interact with peers and adults consistently ignore children´s effort to interact with peers. Based on these reports, it seems that some formulations should be adapted or explained in the comments. The assessments made through the ICP make it possible to capture shifts in the quality of interactions that take place in the various inclusive activities. The quality differences have been made visible and evident by the ICP tool. This indicates that the ICP may be useful to estimate and evaluate operations, both in order to make improvements and also to reduce shortcomings in the learning environments. This is an important goal to achieve, especially considering that an equitable preschool with good quality may have a great impact for children in vulnerable situations.

The ability to participate in adequate relationships with peers and with adults is highlighted in research as important for all children’s development and learning. Research also shows that children who have difficulties with social interactions may be excluded from the peer group social context, if observant adults do not take an active and supportive role to facilitate peer interactions. To ensure that all children regardless of needs nor disability are given the opportunity to develop and learn, the preschool systematically and continuously needs to evaluate how they operate with the task of supporting children’s social relationships and participation. Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) is a structured observation rating scale developed recently in the UK and used in several contexts (i.e. United States) to measure quality in inclusive preschool settings based on twelve areas that are particularly important to consider for children with special educational needs.The aim of this study is to analyse and discuss two of the twelve contents of the ICP program, and to investigate its usefulness in the Swedish preschool. These contents are adult relationships with children and adult support in child interactions with peers. This study is a part of a project called Play and interaction for all children in inclusive preschool environments, initiated by the Department of Special Education, Stockholm University. The study is based on a qualitative research approach and is based on interviews with five preschool teachers and four observations in preschool learning environments. The result shows that the ICP can be a tool for development of an inclusive early childhood program in a Swedish context, both as a self-assessment tool and as a quality improvement tool. The two areas that have been estimated in the ICP have been perceived as relevant to the studies participants because of its importance for children`s development and its correlation with the Swedish preschool curriculum. However, there are certain concepts and formulations in the ICP that has brought objections during the interviews, for example, adults consistently ignore children´s efforts to interact with peers and adults consistently ignore children´s effort to interact with peers. Based on these reports, it seems that some formulations should be adapted or explained in the comments. The assessments made through the ICP make it possible to capture shifts in the quality of interactions that take place in the various inclusive activities. The quality differences have been made visible and evident by the ICP tool. This indicates that the ICP may be useful to estimate and evaluate operations, both in order to make improvements and also to reduce shortcomings in the learning environments. This is an important goal to achieve, especially considering that an equitable preschool with good quality may have a great impact for children in vulnerable situations. / Inkluderande Lärandemiljöer och Tidiga Insatser

TITLE: Teaching English and Pupils with Special Educational Needs AUTHOR: Janka Kociánová DEPARTMENT: Department of Special Education SUPERVISOR: PhDr. Lenka Felcmanová, Ph.D. ABSTRACT: The thesis deals with the teaching of English of pupils with special educational needs, focusing on pupils with specific learning disabilities (SLD). The issue of pupils with SLD and didactics of English language are described in the theoretical part. The aim of the practical part was to find out how pupils with SLD are taught English in primary schools, which forms of education, the most frequently aids (textbooks, materials, etc.) and methods are used. Quantitative as well as qualitative methods were chosen for the research - the questionnaire survey (the questionnaire for teachers), aids and analysis of materials, interviews with teachers and case studies. On the basis of the obtained data, the effectiveness of the various activities is evaluated and a list of the recommended teaching aids, materials and resources is presented. KEYWORDS: English, dyslexia, Foreign Language, special educational needs, specific learning difficulties

This study reflects on an outreach initiative between two differing tertiary cultures established on different continents. The aim is to develop an understanding of what happens when a prestigious American university and a South African Higher Education Institution meet around a computer-mediated situation. Various inter-relating aspects such as cooperation and cooperative learning, educational technology, Higher Educational Institutions, globalisation, the international Digital Divide, cultural diversity, commonalities, cultural differences, an international learning programme, and power relations in international partnerships are explored. The effect of technology on education is that information is no longer restricted to a single geographical setting, instead it has expanded and became a dynamic international driving force. Increasing educational needs compel Higher Education Institutions to provide in these needs and to adapt to a more flexible learning style. Globalisation causes the world to get smaller, compressed, interconnected and resulted in a world that is in effect flat. Information communication technologies are changing the world. On the one hand the Internet promotes communication and freedom but on the other hand causes uneven development all over the globe. The Digital Divide pertains to the divide between the global well-resourced learners and the local under-resourced learners. Cultural differences between nations and organisations can be interpreted against the background of different models of cultural dimensions. The focus of the study is to explore the effect of commonalities and cultural differences on cooperative learning at organisational level. Power relations between international partners were challenging and resulted in conflict and differences of opinion. The project started with the University of Pretoria’s visit to Stanford University in November 2004. The preparation, organisation and planning phases continued through 2005. The ELISA project was intended as a three-year intervention from 2006 through 2008. The first year was supposed to be a pilot phase to gather and provide information for use in the second and third years. This study pertains to the pilot phase which started in February 2006 until June 2006. It was successfully completed and achieved a 93% success rate. However, in September 2006 Stanford unexpectedly informed the South African partners that the project would be discontinued due to several reasons. Their objections related to the lack of visible progress regarding content scheduling, media production, course logistics, and research practicalities. Although there were accommodating personalities among the project leaders on both sides interpersonal conflict between the remaining project leaders developed. The partners on both sides could not generate sufficient commonality regarding the need to continue. The situation was worsened by the fact that the initial rationale for the project lacked shared motivation among the project leaders on both sides. It is suggested that more research be conducted to explore possible differences of opinion and undercurrents among project leaders throughout the project, and to scrutinize the initial rationale as well as curriculum issues in good time, and to investigate the role of power relations between international partners that are funded by international grants, and the effect of these power relations on the learning experiences of the students involved. Copyright / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / unrestricted

This research focuses on the perception of the learning support teacher regarding the use of play therapy with learners with special educational needs. The purpose of the research was to determine the perception of learning support educators regarding the utilization of play therapy as an aid with foundation phase learners with special educational needs. In order to achieve this purpose, information was gathered and a theoretical framework drawn up through an extensive literature study in consultation with experts. An empirical study was conducted by means of in-depth interviews with ten different learning support educators, in order to obtain empirical information. The researcher worked from an applied research perspective to attempt to use this newly gained practical information to determine whether play therapy could be utilized to help the learner with special educational needs. The researcher made use of an exploratory research design and the following research question formed the basis of the study: What is the perception of the learning support educator regarding the value of using play therapy as a form of aid with the foundation phase learner having special educational needs? Flowing from the empirical information gleaned during the interview schedule the following points emerged: · Learning support educators identify emotional, social, behavioural, family and academic problems, as well as other forms of trauma, associated with the learner who has special educational needs; · The learning support educator regards it as his or her task to refer problems connected to the learner and the learner’s family, where such problems are outside of his or her field of expertise. · The learning support educator has both positive and negative perceptions, as well as misconceptions regarding play therapy; and · The learning support educator has a need for a working relationship with the play therapist in the assistance of the learner with special educational needs. The research has therefore shown that the learning support educator has a positive perception regarding the utilization of play therapy with the foundation phase learner with special educational needs. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Thesis (M. A. Education (Adult Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / This study describes the research carried out in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, with Xihoko Public Adult Learning Centre as a site of the study. The aim of the study is to get insight into the educational needs of adult learners at Xihoko PALC. The study also intends to investigate the aims and objectives of the programmes offered at Xihoko PALC. In order to achieve the aims outlined above, I formulated the main research question of the study as follows:  What are the educational needs of adult learners at Xihoko Public Adult Learning Centre? In trying to answer the question outlined above, I decided to undertake an explorative study in order to investigate the educational needs of adult learners at Xihoko PALC in Limpopo Province of South Africa. In Chapter 1, I gave a description of South Africa in the apartheid era and post apartheid era in terms of its geographical setup and education. The aims and objectives of this study and the research questions are indicated. The scope of the study is explained. It was the objective of this study to contribute towards identifying educational needs of adult learners at Xihoko PALC in Limpopo Province of South Africa, and to ensure that the educational needs of adult learners are addressed by the programmes offered. In Chapter 2, the theoretical framework of the study of the educational needs of adult learners at Xihoko PALC in Limpopo Province is indicated. Based on reading of the relevant literature and preliminary discussions with experts in the field of adult education, it appeared that factors such as: agricultural, computer and sewing skills as well as basic literacy and numeracy are possible educational needs of adult learners at Xihoko PALC. Key concepts are defined in this chapter. ii In Chapter 3, I describe the design of the study. The main focus of this chapter was to discuss the path of data collection. An explanation and discussion of the instruments that were utilised to collect data from different stakeholders in various phases of data collection is also given. I further explain how the data that was collected from various phases was analysed using qualitative data analysis methods. The chapter concludes by discussing the ethical considerations of the study. Chapter 4 presents the findings of the study according to the views and perceptions of the interviewees. This section prepared the study for the next stage of the investigation where I established whether or not the findings provide answers to the research question. In this chapter, I also presented an overview of Xihoko PALC. A description of the programmes which are offered at Xihoko PALC is given. I also indicated the aims and objectives of Xihoko PALC. The chapter further discusses issues around educators and the characteristics of adult learners at Xihoko PALC. I have also outlined in detail the views of the interviewees in relation to the critical factors of this study. The chapter concludes by discussing the findings of observations based on Xihoko PALC. Chapter 5 presents the final conclusion and recommendations of the study. Conclusions were made based on the findings of the investigation. The chapter integrates the information from previous chapters in discussing the educational needs of adult learners at Xihoko PALC in the Limpopo Province. It also provides suggestions which might contribute towards addressing the educational needs of adult learners. Recommendations for further study have been outlined. The chapter concludes by discussing what I call ‘reflections’, a section that was about my main learning areas and the limitations that I encountered during the process of this research.

This diploma thesis, entitled "Analysis of the educational needs of teachers at a selected primary school", deals a priori with the educational needs of teachers at a selected primary school in Prague, which the student selected as the most suitable for their own research. The aim of the work was to identify and analyze the educational needs, if possible, of all teachers of the selected primary school, on the basis of which an adequate educational program will be determined, which will be mediated in full conclusion its pedagogical staff as a certain directive for the possible improvement of the process of further education of primary school pedagogical staff. Teachers can often encounter certain barriers in their pedagogical work, which stand between themselves and their further education. In connection with this fact, the work is focused on this issue. In the theoretical passage of the diploma thesis, the terminological definitions of the main areas, which the topic of the diploma thesis deals primarily in its content, are then objectively, in fact made. The practical part is mainly involved in research, which seeks to use the chosen method of questioning to identify the full educational needs of teachers in their careers, based on which it will be possible to design an educational program for...

The diploma thesis is related to the dance and its importance in personal and social development of individuals with specific educational needs. This thesis is theoretical- empirical. In the theoretical part there is a leisure time described as the phenomenon of today's life and a dance as the form of spending of free time from its very own beginning to current styles and techniques. The important part here are also an overview of themes of personal and social development and an explanation of the specific educational needs term. The main goal of the research is to find out what effect a dance has on the development of individuals with specific educational needs and how important it is in their lives. The main core of the research are semi-structured interviews not only with individuals but also with dance instructors who teach those people how to dance but also teach them other skills that are important in their lives. At the same time this thesis should also serve as an education of the public as most people think that disabled people have not as much free time as healthy ones because of their medical restrictions and that they cannot learn how to dance at all.

The diploma thesis deals with needs of hospitalized school-age children, attitudes towards rearing of these children and education in a hospital school. Attention is paid mainly to social and educational needs of hospitalized children. The aim of the diploma thesis is to collect expertise related to the aspects of long-term hospitalization of a child and evaluate the reality of the education in the hospital school where the research took place. Firstly, the theoretical part defines the characteristics of physical and mental development of a school-age child. Furthermore, the theoretical part deals with various aspects of hospitalization of a child, especially in relation to his family and school life. In the empirical part, the qualitative research through interviews and observation is applied. It concentrates on how hospitalized children assess education in hospital schools, how the hospital schooling is organized and how the hospital school communicates with the school where a patient goes to. The research has shown that the respondents have a very positive attitude towards education in the hospital school, especially due to the individual approach of hospital teachers. On the other hand, they lack a collective from the school they normally go to. Moreover, a hospital teacher must be flexible in...