How mothers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder experience educational psychology support

Abstract

Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013.

The purpose of the study was to explore how mothers experience the support provided by
 the educational psychologist for their children with ADHD. The conceptual framework utilised
 for this study incorporated systems theory, collaborations and inclusive education in South
 Africa. In this study, I followed an interpretivist paradigm using a phenomenological
 approach. A qualitative case study design was selected, with five purposefully and
 conveniently selected mothers whose children had been previously diagnosed with ADHD by
 an educational psychologist. The participants took part in either a focus group or a one-onone
 interview. Two main themes emerged following the thematic content analysis of the
 interviews, namely: How mothers experience their children with ADHD and How mothers
 experience support of their children with ADHD.
 The findings of this study suggest that mothers of children with ADHD expect a deeper level
 of support from an educational psychologist. The findings also indicate that mothers
 experience parenting children with ADHD stressful and that they need reassurance and
 emotional support from the educational psychologist. The results show the need for a more
 inclusive school environment and it highlights the importance of the role of the educational
 psychologist sharing knowledge and working collaboratively with educators, the Institutional
 Level and District Based Support Teams and the various health care practitioners to provide
 support to the child and family.

gm2014

Educational Psychology

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