The Experiences of Parents with Special Needs Children in terms of Access, Resources and Support for their Children at Special Needs Schools

M.A. (Clinical Social Work)Abstract: The study focuses on the Experiences of Parents with Special Needs Children in terms of Access, Resources and Support for their children at a Special Needs School. In South Africa, a child with special needs is a child who suffers from any of a wide range of physical disabilities, intellectual difficulties, medical conditions and emotional problems such as blindness, dyslexia, deafness, behavioural problems and learning difficulties (World Health Organisation, 2015). Research indicates that children with special needs are the most disadvantaged in terms of accessing primary education (World Health Organisation, 2015). In South Africa, parents of children with special needs tend to experience greater levels of stress than those caring for a child without special needs (Montes & Halterman, 2007). This is associated with finding the right school that has the necessary equipment and resources that to accommodate their children. Using the ecological systems theory, the study aims to explore the experiences of parents with special needs children in terms of access, resources and support for their children at a special needs school. Ecological systems theory aims to “improve the level of fit between people’s perceived needs, capacities and aspirations and their environment support and resources” (Howe, 2009, p. 35). The objectives of the study were to identify the challenges experienced by parents of children with special needs when trying to find and accessing special needs schools, to explore the level of physical resources / equipment parents perceive are needed compared to what is available to assist their child at a special needs school, to assess the level of psychosocial support parents believe their special needs child receives compared to what is needed at a special needs school and to make recommendations on how special needs schools can ensure better access, resources and support for special needs children. The study adopts a qualitative research approach that highlights the importance of the meanings and experiences of the parents of the children with special needs when accessing a special needs school. The population includes parents having children placed in around 76 special needs schools in Johannesburg (The Convention on the Rights of People with Disability, 2006). The study uses purposive sampling to select parents of children with special needs of different age groups enrolled at Johannesburg Hospital School, JISWA Training Centre, Hope School, Duzenendlela and Steve Biko Primary..