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The quality of life of adults with multiple disabilities and their parents
Author
Chang, Faridah Ali
Supervisor
Poon, Kenneth K.
Abstract
The lives of adults with multiple disabilities (MD) in Singapore had not received much attention, much less the quality of their lives and those of their caregivers. This qualitative study aims to investigate the lives of six adults who had left special education schooling between 4 to 9 years prior to the research. The researcher interviewed the parents of these adults with MD. The adults who had a range of functioning from moderate to profound multiple disabilities (MD) left special education schooling in Singapore the moment they turned 18 years old. Two siblings, one with FG syndrome and another with severe CP, attend daily Day Care and a once a week physical therapy respectively. The other four adults with MD stay home with their families and caregivers. The interviews were transcribed and analysed through content analysis with results that produced significant themes. The researcher who observed and described the profiles of the adults with MD, based on the The Abilities Index, was able to delineate between two themes of ‘Dependency on Adults’ and ‘Participation’. Further analysis categorized the themes of ‘Parental Well Being, Future Planning and Fluidity of Roles. With families who have helpers, the Importance of Roles emerged as a theme. A theoretical model arose from the analysis explaining the interplay between the Adults with MD’s and the Parents Quality of Life. The researcher was the former teacher and psychologist from the programme these adults were from.
Date Issued
2011
Call Number
HV1559.S55 Cha
Date Submitted
2011