Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is one of the most well-known behaviour
disorders in South Africa. Limited studies regarding adolescents’ experience of their own
AD/HD are available despite the extensive research on AD/HD. The purpose of this exploratory
and descriptive qualitative study was to understand 7 adolescents' experience of their own
AD/HD in a special school in order to identify supportive strategies. This study was approached
from an interpretive and/or constructivist research paradigm. A collective case study research
design was used. Data was collected by means of observation, personal documents as well as
semi-structured interviews. The data was transcribed and analised according to the constant
comparative method. According to the results it seems as if the adolescents’ experiences of their
own AD/HD are unique. However, these unique experiences are influenced by their barriers to
learning, the process of diagnosis, development, AD/HD medication and social context. The
adolescents seek that others empower them to regulate their own AD/HD by: (1) trying to
understand how it feels to live with AD/HD; (2) providing information regarding AD/HD; and
(3) focusing on their talents and strengths. The practical implications of the results are
individualized intervention, changing roles of educators and support professionals, whole school
development, changing attitudes, as well as professional development. Further qualitative
research is recommended to investigate adolescents’ experiences of their own ADHD.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/3005 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Engelbrecht, Anel |
| Contributors | Perold, M. D., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Educational Psychology. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | Afrikaans |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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