| Abstract [eng] |
SUMMARY Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine Department of Rehabilitation, Physical and Sports Medicine Master of Adapted Physical Activity Program QUALITY OF LIFE AND SPECIAL NEEDS IN FAMILIES WITH PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS Adapted Physical Activity Master’s thesis The Author: Michail Bencion Malkin Work Leader: doc. dr. Laimutė Samsonienė Keywords: family quality of life, autistic disorder, special needs. The aim of research work. Reveal quality of life and family special needs of parents with preschool and school-aged children with autism spectrum disorders Tasks of work. 1. Compare sociodemographic characteristics of parents with preschool and school-aged children with ASD; 2. Evaluate and compare areas of quality of life such as family interactions, education, emotional well-being, physical / material well-being, support for a family member with a disability of parents with preschool and school-aged children with ASD; 3. Identify and evaluate the connection: between the areas of quality of life, ASD, family quality of life and discover the family quality of life determinant factors; 4. Identify and compare the specials needs of parents with preschool and school-aged children with ASD. Materials and methods. In the study was voluntarily participating 100 parents. Parents were divided into two groups by age: the first group (n = 50) – parents of a preschool child, the second group (n = 50) – parents of school-age child. In the study was used a mixed research strategy. Was applied a questionnaire method with closed and open-ended questions. Closed questions – Family Quality of Life Questionnaire which aim was to investigate the family quality of life. Open-ended questions – about the special needs of the family. Open-ended questions was recommended by the parents who participated in a pilot study. There was 3 questions: name what support or services you receive from the state; name what support or services you are looking for and buying by yourself; name what support and what services for you was not enough. Research data were processed using Microsoft excel programme and SPSS package. Results and Conclusions. Research findings show that most favourable evaluations were given to physical well-being and support for the disabled member in the family, but for parents with a preschool child with ASD was very important educational problems (r = 0.721), while the parents with a school-age child – family emotional well-being (r = 0.617); therefore parental education had an effect on family emotional well-being. Stronger emotional well-being was more experienced by parents with vocational education. Despite different social status of parents, the number of children and their age, respondents’ quality of life did not differ and the family special needs were similar, but meeting those needs was insufficient. In order to improve the family's quality of life we need to in compliance with parents wishes to meet the special needs of the family. |
