Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Social-relational perspective of disabilities'

Perspective-taking, the ability to understand and be aware of information states in oneself and others has recently become an important topic in examining complex behavior and cognition. Previous research has developed a behavioral protocol for assessing perspective-taking skills and has indicated that there are perspective-taking deficits in populations diagnosed with autism. This research has also indicated that the lack of perspective-taking could be the basis for social deficits observed in these populations. Populations that display similar social deficits (i.e. learning disabilities) have not been examined, nor has prior research examined perspective-taking in adolescent populations. The present paper reports the findings of examining the perspective-taking skills in adolescents diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome or a specific learning disability. Participants were tested using a perspective-taking protocol created using therapy cards designed for teaching social skills to adolescents with autism. The protocol included a number of questions testing both deictic frames (I-You, Here-There, Now-Then) and frames of relation (simple, reversed, double reversed). Results indicate that there are similarities in the perspective-taking abilities of adolescents diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, and those diagnosed with learning disabilities.

AbstractDenna uppsats handlar om att undersöka hur andraspråkselever som misstänks ha läs- och skrivsvårigheter/dyslexi utreds på en skola. I en empirisk studie intervjuas sex stycken pedagoger som arbetar med att göra de inledande testerna/kartläggningarna på elever med misstänkt dyslexi/läs- och skrivsvårigheter. Lärarna i undersökningen arbetar inom samma upptagningsområde som speciallärare/pedagoger. Uppsatsens resultat visar på att tillängliga diagnosverktyg på undersökt skola inte är anpassade för att kunna säkerställa en eventuell diagnos hos elever med ett annat modersmål än svenska.

MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Ruth Anne Rehfeldt The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a defusion exercise in combination with perspective- taking interactions as a brief protocol based on the Relational Frame Theory (RFT). The protocol was designed to alter verbal statements about the self through the implementation of training on deictic frames (I-YOU, HERE-THERE, AND NOW-THEN) in conjunction with an exercise of defusion. A pre-post design with a control group was implemented to evaluate the effects of the protocol on the frequency rate of self-as-context and self-as-content statements. Adolescents with disabilities were selected and assigned to each group based on the frequency rate of self-as-content statements. After the assignment of the participants to each group, each participant was interviewed individually through a structured interview aimed at identifying deictic frames and negative statements. Then, participants in the treatment group received the protocol of defusion and deictic frames individually, and participants in the control group received a social skills session on an individual basis. Finally, participants were interviewed individually through an interview based on the identification of deictic relationships and negative statements about the self. Results showed a significant effect in reducing the number of self-as-content statements and increasing the number of self-as-context statements for participants in the treatment group; however, changes did not reach the statistical significance when comparing the post-tests scores between the treatment and control group. Limitations of this study are discussed and future research is recommended.

Syftet med examensarbetet är att undersöka arbetsgivares upplevelser av att anställa personermed funktionsvariationer samt vilka framgångsfaktorer som kan identifieras. Fokus ligger vidatt identifiera arbetsgivares drivkrafter till att anställa personer med funktionsvariationer samtvilka styrkor och utmaningar de upplevt i sitt arbete. Resultatet identifierar mångfald,samhällsansvar och bidrag till arbetsklimatet som drivkrafter till att anställa personer medfunktionsvariationer, samt styrkor och utmaningar de upplever. För att förklara resultatettillämpas till stor del tidigare forskning inom området. Stigmatiseringsteori och socialtrelationelltperspektiv på funktionsvariationer utgör studiens teoretiska ramverk. Studien har enkvalitativ forskningsansats där sex semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med respondenterfrån organisationer som aktivt arbetar med att anställa personer med funktionsvariationer. I enresultat- och analysdel jämförs resultatet från intervjuerna med den tidigare forskningen. Ettflertal identifierade faktorer diskuteras i uppsatsens avslutande del. Resultatet belyser vikten avatt se individers möjligheter och utvecklingspotential i stället för att fokusera på debegränsningar en funktionsvariation medför, samt visar positiva effekter dessa medarbetare gerorganisationen. Genom detta kan resultatet av examensarbetet verka som underlag ochinspiration för arbetsgivare vid anställning av personer med funktionsvariationer. Vidare kanexamensarbetet bidra med forskning- och uppsatsförslag för både personalvetarstudenter samtforskare då framgångsfaktorer vid anställning av personer med funktionsvariationer är ettområde som till stor del saknar forskning inom en svensk kontext.
The aim of this study was to examine employers' experiences of employing people withdisabilities and which factors could be identified as successful. Focusing on identifying what ismotivating employers to employ people with disabilities, and the strengths and challenges theyhave experienced in their work. The results identify diversity, social responsibility andcontributions to the work climate as motivating to employ people with disabilities, as well asthe strengths and challenges they experience. To explain the results, an extensive applicationof previous research was applied. Stigmatization and a social-relational perspective ofdisabilities constitute the theoretical framework of the study. The study was conducted by usingqualitative research where six semi-structured interviews were held with respondents fromorganizations who actively employ people with disabilities. The results from the interviewswere compared with the previous research and after analysis, several identified factors werepresented in the discussion and conclusion. Results highlight the importance of paying attentionto individuals' abilities and progress potential instead of focusing on the limitations of adisability. And furthermore, show what positive effects the organization can experience byemployment. Through this, the result of this study can act as inspiration and a foundation foremployers when employing people with disabilities. Furthermore, the study can contribute withinspiration for both students and researchers as success factors in hiring people with disabilitiesare an area that largely lacks research within a Swedish context.

Thesis (M Social work)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of the experiences of mothers caring for their school-going children with mental or physical disabilities in low-income communities using the ecological perspective. The rationale for this research was a gap in the existing literature re-garding the experiences of mothers caring for their school-going children with mental or physical disabilities in low-income communities in South Africa, which was identified in the preliminary and main literature review. The literature review further indicated that these mothers have to struggle with several challenges, particularly in low-income communities. In order to achieve the aim of this study, four research objectives were formulated for this study. To reach the objectives of the study the researcher employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods to col-lect the data for the research. The research methodology comprised two main parts: firstly, a lit-erature study of all relevant literature on the subject matter, in order to gain the necessary in-depth understanding of the field; and secondly, qualitative and quantitative data-collection, using a semi-structured questionnaire. The first part of this study, the extensive literature review, helped firstly to provide the necessary background information on the mental and physical disabilities of school-going children, sec-ondly, it helped to establish a number of challenges that mothers caring for their disabled chil-dren face and the needs that result from them, from an ecological perspective. These were cate-gorized into four groups of needs: (1) access needs; (2) economic needs; (3) social and cultural needs; and (4) mental/psychological needs. Consequently, ways of meeting these needs were discussed, from formal support, such as government grants, to informal support, for example, the support of family and friends. Assessing the South African environment it was found that while the country has provided a very positive policy environment, through its constitution, policies and grant system, the practical implementation of this is, in many instances, inadequate. Using the findings of the first part of this thesis to create a questionnaire, its second part, the em-pirical study, presented and analysed the answers of nineteen mothers caring for their disabled children who attend the special school selected for the research study in Cloetesville, Stellenbosch; a low-income community. The questionnaire explored, among other aspects, the physical, social, emotional, psychological and economic needs of the mothers; the role of the school, fami-ly, friends, non-governmental organisations and other coping options in meeting them, as well as the mothers´ awareness of available resources. The findings in the South African low-income community corresponded to a large extent with what was indicated in the literature study. The mothers were found to live under precarious economic and employment situations, having to rely on child support and disability dependence grants. Furthermore, the mothers reported that they experienced stress, emotional and physical, as a result of having to care for disabled children. It was shown that while receiving grants and sending their children to the special school did alle-viate some of the challenges, this aid was not perceived as sufficient. On the other hand, the study confirmed and emphasized the importance of understanding and support by family and friends in helping mothers meet their needs. Moreover, it was found that most of the mothers interviewed for this thesis had a positive perception of their role as caregiver for their disabled child: for example, seeing themselves as good mothers, being proud to be self-sufficient, as well as a positive influence on the mothers‟ relationship with their family. As a consequence of the results this study, several recommendations were made for government (social development) and service providers (social workers, teachers, doctors): firstly, govern-ment should aim to achieve a better congruence between the positive policy environment in South Africa and the implementation of these policies; secondly, among other recommendations for service providers, awareness needs to be raised in communities to decrease the stigma of dis-ability and increase understanding and support. Finally, while this study was a success, it was only a first step in filling the gap in the literature on the experiences of mothers caring for their mentally and physically disabled children in South African low-income communities, and therefore needs to be complemented and tested by further research on the subject.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om „n begrip te ontwikkel van die ervarings van moeders wat sorg vir hul skoolgaande kinders met verstandelike- of fisiese gestremdhede, in lae-inkomste gemeenskappe, deur gebruik te maak van die ekologiese perspektief. Die rasionaal vir die navorsing was, die gaping in bestaande literatuur ten opsigte van die ervarings van moeders wat sorg vir hul skoolgaande kinders met verstandelike- of fisiese gestremdhede in lae-inkomste gemeenskappe in Suid-Afrika, soos geïdentifiseer is in die voorlopige- en hoof literatuur oorsig. Die literatuur oorsig het verder aangedui dat hierdie moeders, veral in lae-inkomste gemeenskappe, verskeie uitdagings in die gesig staar. Ten einde die doel van hierdie studie te bereik, is vier navorsingsdoelwitte vir die studie geformuleer. Die navorser het beide kwalitatiewe- en kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetodes vir data-insameling gebruik, ten einde die doelwitte van die studie te bereik. Die navorsingsmetodologie het uit twee primêre dele bestaan: eerstens, „n literatuurstudie van al die relevante literatuur oor die spesifieke onderwerp, ten einde die nodige in-diepte begrip in verband met die onderwerp te ontwikkel; en tweedens, kwalitatiewe- en kwantitatiewe data-insameling, deur gebruik te maak van „n semi-gestruktureerde vraelys. Die eerste deel van die studie, naamlik die uitgebreide literatuuroorsig, het eerstens gehelp om die nodige agtergrondinligting oor verstandelike- en fisiese gestremdhede van skoolgaande kinders te voorsien en tweedens, het dit gehelp om „n aantal uitdagings te identifiseer wat moeders ervaar wat vir hul kinders met gestremdhede sorg, asook om te identifiseer watter behoeftes hierdie uitdagings tot gevolg het, vanuit „n ekologiese perspektief. Die behoeftes is gekategoriseer in vier kategorieë van behoeftes: (1) behoeftes van toeganklikheid; (2) ekonomiese behoeftes; (3) sosiale- en kulturele behoeftes; en (4) verstandelike/sielkundige behoeftes. Vervolgens, is maniere bespreek waarop hierdie behoeftes bevredig kan word, van formele ondersteuning, soos staatstoelae, tot informele ondersteuning, byvoorbeeld ondersteuning deur familie en vriende. Deur middel van die assessering van die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, is daar bevind dat, terwyl die land „n baie positiewe beleidsomgewing voorsien, deur sy konstitusie, beleide en toelae-sisteem, is daar in baie gevalle agterstande met betrekking tot die praktiese implementering daarvan. Nadat die bevindinge van die eerste deel van hierdie tesis gebruik is om „n vraelys saam te stel, het die tweede deel van die studie, naamlik die empiriese studie, bestaan uit die voorstelling en die analisering van die antwoorde van 19 moeders wat sorg vir hul kinders met gestremdhede wat ʼn laerskool in Cloetesville, „n lae-inkomste gemeenskap in Stellenbosch, bywoon. Die vraelys het, onder andere, die fisiese-, sosiale-, emosionele-, sielkundige- en ekonomiese behoeftes van die moeders, die rol van die skool, familie, vriende, nie-regeringsorganisasies en ander hanteringsopsies om die voorafgenoemde behoeftes te bereik, asook die moeders se bewustheid van beskikbare hulpbronne, ondersoek. Die bevindinge in die Suid-Afrikaanse lae-inkomste gemeenskap het grootliks ooreengestem met die bevindinge aangedui in die literatuurstudie. Daar is bevind dat die moeders hulself in baie moeilike ekonomiese- en werksituasies bevind het, wat beteken het dat hul moes staatmaak op kinderondersteunings- en ongeskiktheidstoelae. Verder, het die moeders gerapporteer dat hul emosionele- en fisiese stres ervaar het, as „n gevolg van hul verantwoordelikheid om vir hul kinders met gestremdhede te sorg. Daar is ook bevind dat, alhoewel die ontvangs van toelae en die feit dat hul kinders spesiale skole bygewoon het, sommige van hul uitdagings verlig het, was dit nie as voldoende beskou nie. Aan die ander kant, het die studie die belangrikheid van die begrip en ondersteuning van familie en vriende om moeders te help om hul behoeftes te bevredig, bevestig en beklemtoon. Daar is ook bevind dat die meeste van die moeders wat aan die studie deelgeneem het, positiewe persepsies van hul rol as versorgers van hul gestremde kinders gehad het: byvoorbeeld, deur hulself as goeie moeders te sien, deur trots te wees daarop om self-onderhoudend te wees, asook deurdat hul rol as versorgers, „n positiewe invloed op hul verhoudings met hul familie gehad het. As „n gevolg van die resultate van die studie, is verskeie aanbevelings aan die regering (Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling) en diensverskaffers (maatskaplike werkers, onderwysers, dokters) gemaak: eerstens, behoort die regering te poog om „n beter kongruensie tussen die positiewe beleidsomgewing in Suid-Afrika en die implementering van hierdie beleide te bereik; tweedens, onder ander aanbevelings aan diensverskaffers, moet bewustheid in gemeenskappe geskep word, ten einde die stigma gekoppel aan gestremdheid te verminder en om begrip en ondersteuning te verhoog. Laastens, alhoewel die studie „n sukses was, is dit slegs „n eerste stap met betrekking tot die vervulling van die gaping in literatuur in verband met die ervarings van moeders wat sorg vir hul verstandelike- en fisies gestremde kinders in Suid-Afrikaanse lae-inkomste gemeenskappe. Hierdie onderwerp moet egter gekomplimenteer en getoets word deur verdere navorsing.

For parents caring for an intellectually or developmentally disabled child (I/DD), there can be many challenges throughout various life stages. While research has been shown to emphasize an abundance of services for parents of young children and adolescents with I/DD, there has been a lack of services for later life transitions within adulthood. Within this research, a brief literature review of what preparation and services have been provided to parents of adult children with I/DD in regard to non-parental care placement is provided. The following research discusses the various perspectives of the future planning process through interviews from participants who identify themselves as a primary caregiver of their adult child with I/DD and who are 45 years of age or older. This research also discusses the results, limitations, recommendation for social work practice, and research conclusion.

Educational underachievement is a big problem in all schools, but it is especially prevalent in poverty stricken areas. The main objective of this research was to investigate the possible reasons for, consequences of and strategies to address the problem of educational underachievement in poverty stricken areas. The research conducted was based on the interpretive paradigm and a qualitative approach was used to gather data. A case study approach was used as a research design. The data collection methods were questionnaires, interviews and observations. The study found that the home conditions, individual factors, family and psychological factors are the main reasons for academic underachievement. The main consequences of academic underachievement were found to be unemployment, behavioural problems, a negative self-perception, high failure rates, high drop-out rates and teenage pregnancies. The main strategies to address the problem which the study revealed are: teachers familiarising themselves with the home conditions of the child, addressing the problem of overcrowding, and poverty, involving the parents in the education of their children, enhancing the self-esteem of learners, improving teaching, implementing cooperative learning and providing study facilities for these learners at the school after hours.

The aim of this study was to describe and understand parents’ perspectives in aid assessment for children according to The Swedish Act (1993:387) concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments (Lag 1993:387 om stöd och service till vissa funktionshindrade, LSS). The study took place in the county of Kronoberg, Sweden, and was based on a total of nine qualitative interviews. Four interviews were made with parents’ of children who has interventions according to LSS (1993:387) and five interviews were made with LSS case workers. In our study we saw that parents’ perspectives often is the largest amount of information that case workers take into account when assessing aid and as a case worker you listen to the parents perspectives to capture the child’s and the family’s needs. It also came clear that the parents’ perspective is not only about the child’s needs, but also includes the parent’s own needs and their family’s needs. The parents in the study felt that they made the decision about the choice of aid and considered themselves as the one who decides the family’s requirements. It turned out that treatment and understanding from the case workers was important for gaining access to the best help and making parents feel listened to. Parental responsibility was of great importance for the assessment, and it often led to disagreement between parents and case workers. During the study, we saw that power existed in the relationship between case workers and parents, but that it could be moved and changed during the time of aid assessment.

Thesis (DPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South African local government literature suggests a historical problem of municipal non-consultation in services identification and provision that goes hand-in-hand with community non-participation in municipal activities, coupled by a ‘culture of non-payment’ for these services. This research, which was conducted between 2002 and 2005 in the city of Johannesburg municipality, had the central purpose of ascertaining the manner and ways in which the city of Johannesburg provides its basic services to the Soweto communities and, in turn, of understanding if communities participate in municipal activities and hold possible attitudes of non-payment for municipal services. In order to attain the research purpose, six research questions were identified through local government theories and literature and advanced. The first set of four questions was aimed at the Soweto communities: How affordable are the basic municipal services to the Soweto communities? What are community’s perceptions of the importance of the various municipal services? Are the communities participating in the services identification and provision? How satisfied are the communities with the service delivery? The second set of two questions was aimed at service providers or the municipal services managers and councillors: What methods does the municipality use in identifying and delivering service? What does the municipality perceive to be their application and enforcement of service quality management standards? The original methodological intent was to interview the Soweto communities and the city of Johannesburg municipal services managers and councillors. 200 Soweto households were indeed interviewed from the eight townships of Chiawelo, Diepkloof, Dobsonville, Dube, Jabulani, Meadowlands, Naledi and Orlando, which were randomly selected. The survey amongst the heads of these 200 households was followed by four focus group meetings at Chiawelo, Dobsonville, Dube and Meadowlands and between five and eleven households participated in the discussions in clarifying survey outcomes. It was only possible, however, to interview three service managers from the city of Johannesburg services utilities Pikitup, Johannesburg Water and the Contract Management Unit. Frustrated attempts to interview municipal councillors in the city of Johannesburg led to obtaining permission for proxy interviews from the MEC of Local Government and Traffic Safety in Mpumalanga municipalities of Govan Mbeki and Emalahleni and the inclusion of the KwaZulu-Natal municipality of Emnambithi. The usage of proxy interviews is thought to be relevant since the perceptions on service provision relate to the application and implementation of the uniform countrywide local government structures and systems. A total of 24 interviews were conducted with the Mpumalanga MEC, the city of Johannesburg service managers (3), councillors (9) and senior municipal administrators (11). In order to confirm or repudiate service provider findings from the Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal municipalities, supplementary interviews were held with persons knowledgeable about service delivery in Soweto between 2002 and 2005. A total of four additional interviews were thus conducted. In the analysis of the community survey data, townships were classified as well-off and worse-off on the basis of household incomes and thus participation in municipal activities, payment of services and other attitudes were compared between the two strata. The findings of the research reveal low levels of ability to pay for municipal services by communities in terms of household incomes. However, the household possessions of the living standard measurement (LSM) utilities indicated otherwise. The use of income as a measure of affordability to pay is suspect in methodological reliability; hence income related findings should be interpreted with caution. The worse-off townships preferred state provision of the basic municipal services. There was less inclination to participate in municipal structures such as ward committees and Integrated Development Plans (IDP) processes by the well-off townships, although they were the least satisfied with service provision and municipal performance. The city of Johannesburg municipality was found to be addressing service backlogs as a method for service identification and prioritisation. The municipality has semi-privatised basic municipal services such as water, electricity and garbage collection through section 21 companies in order to overcome service provision inefficiencies and ineffectiveness. This has devastating effects in terms of the community’s inability to pay, leading to services disconnection. Communities in general, however, believed that service provision has improved through these utilities even though the municipality has not finalised its performance management contracts with the utilities. Whereas the service provider interviews were conducted in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, additional telephone interviews with service provision experts for Soweto agreed that municipal challenges throughout the country are generally the same since they operate within relatively new policy frameworks. It is acknowledged, however, that metropolitan municipalities and specifically the city of Johannesburg face some unique challenges too. It is concluded that the central role of the local government as the custodian of basic municipal services cannot be disputed; however, the inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of the market forces require private-public partnerships. It can also be concluded that non-participation is an outcome of, among other things, poor participative capacity within communities, apathy, feelings of distrust of both the municipal institutions and municipal councillors and the lack of information regarding community obligations to municipal institutions. The research recommends the use of similar service utilities in both townships and former white suburban areas in order to overcome the perceptions of the municipal services level disparities that are formed on the basis of townships versus white suburban areas; an overhaul of the municipality’s billing system to overcome its debt and service charges collection problems; ward committee participation capacity improvement for both the municipal councillors and communities and the development and communication of clear guidelines on the roles of regional services management centres. Further research is recommended on, among other things, whether privatisation of municipal services results in better access by all and improves efficiency and payments, and on the functionality and effectiveness of ward committees as vehicles for community participation and in developing new and more reliable socio-economic modelling for assessing community ability to pay for government services.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Uit ’n literatuuroorsig van plaaslike regering in Suid-Afrika het dit geblyk dat daar ’n historiese probleem van nie-oorlegpleging by die identifisering en lewering van dienste deur munisipaliteite bestaan. Hierdie probleem gaan hand aan hand met niedeelname aan munisipale aktiwiteite deur gemeenskappe en ’n kultuur van “geenbetaling” vir dienste gelewer. Die hoofdoel van hierdie navorsing, wat tussen 2002 en 2005 in die stad Johannesburg gedoen is, was om vas te stel hoe die stad se munisipaliteit basiese dienste aan Soweto lewer en of daar enige gemeenskapsdeelname aan aktiwiteite is en of gemeenskappe ’n geenbetaling-houding inneem. Om die navorsingsdoel te bereik is ses vrae deur middel van literatuur en teorieë oor plaaslike regering geïdentifiseer. Die eerste vier vrae is gemik op gemeenskappe in Soweto: Hoe bekostigbaar is die basiese munisipale dienste aan die gemeenskappe in Soweto? Wat is die gemeenskap se mening oor die belangrikheid van die onderskeie munisipale dienste? Het gemeenskappe deel aan die identifisering en lewering van dienste? Hoe tevrede is die gemeenskappe met dienslewering? Die laaste twee vrae is gemik op die diensleweraars of munisipaledienstebestuurders en raadslede: Watter metodes gebruik die munisipaliteit om dienste te identifiseer en te lewer? Wat beskou die munisipaliteit as op hulle van toepassing sover dit die afdwingbaarheid van kwaliteitstandaarde in die lewering van dienste en bestuur betref? Oorspronklik was die doel om onderhoude te voer met gemeenskappe in Soweto sowel as munisipaledienste-bestuurders en raadslede van Johannesburg. Onderhoude met hoofde van 200 huishoudings in Soweto is wel gevoer. Hierdie huishoudings is ewekansig uit Chiawelo, Diepkloof, Dobsonville, Dube, Jabulani, Meadowlands, Naledi en Orlando gekies. Die onderhoude is gevolg deur vier fokusgroepvergaderings te Chiawelo, Dobsonville, Dube en Meadowlands, en tussen vyf en elf huishoudings het aan besprekings deelgeneem ten einde duidelikheid te verkry oor bevindinge van die ondersoek. Dit was egter net moontlik om onderhoude met drie dienstebestuurders van die stad Johannesburg te voer, naamlik Pikitup, Johannesburg Water en die Kontrak Bestuursgroep. Verskeie vrugtelose pogings om onderhoude met raadslede te bekom het uiteindelik gelei tot die verkryging van toestemming vir plaasvervangende onderhoude met die LUR vir die Plaaslike Regering sowel as Verkeersveiligheid in die volgende munisipaliteite: Govan Mbeki en Emalahleni in Mpumalanga en Emnambithi in KwaZulu-Natal. Hierdie plaasvervangende onderhoude is as toepaslik beskou, aangesien die menings oor dienslewering te doen het met die toepassing en implementering van die uniforme landswye plaaslikeregering-strukture en -stelsels wat dus op Soweto ook van toepassing is. ’n Totaal van 24 onderhoude is gevoer met die Mpumalanga-LUR (1), die dienstebestuurders van die stad Johannesburg (3), raadslede (9) en senior munisipale administrateurs (11). Om die bevindinge van die Mpumulanga- en KwaZulu-Natal-munisipaliteite te bevestig of te weerlê, is aanvullende onderhoude met persone wat kennis van dienslewering in Soweto het tussen 2002 en 2005 gevoer. Altesaam vier addisionele onderhoude is dus gevoer. Tydens die ontleding van die gemeenskapsdata is gemeenskappe as gegoed of minder gegoed geklassifiseer op grond van huishoudelike inkomste en dus is deelname aan munisipale aktiwiteite, betaling vir dienste en ander gesindhede tussen die twee strata vergelyk. Daar is bevind dat min mense munisipale dienste kan bekostig in terme van huishoudelike inkomste, maar dat huishoudelike besittings wat lewenstandaard bepaal op die teenoorgestelde dui. Die gebruik van huishoudelike inkomste as ’n maatstaf van die vermoë om te betaal is ’n aanvaarbare metode, maar moet tog met omsigtigheid benader word. Die gemeenskap wat die slegste daaraan toe was, verkies dat die staat basiese munisipale dienste voorsien. ’n Laer geneigdheid tot deelname aan munisipale strukture soos wykskomitees en geïntegreerde ontwikkelingsplanne is by die meer gegoede gemeenskappe aangetref, hoewel hulle die grootste ontevredenheid toon met dienslewering en munisipale werkverrigting. Daar is gevind dat die munisipaliteit van die stad Johannesburg die agterstand in dienste aangespreek het as metode om dienste te identifiseer en te prioritiseer. Om die probleem van oneffektiewe en ondoeltreffende dienste te oorkom, maak die munisipaliteit gebruik van artikel 21- maatskappye vir dienste soos water, elektrisiteit en vullisverwydering. Dit lei tot die beëindiging van die dienste van gemeenskappe wat nie kan betaal nie. Oor die algemeen is inwoners egter van mening dat dienste deur hierdie maatskappye verbeter is, hoewel die munisipaliteit nog nie sy prestasiebestuurkontrakte met hierdie maatskappye gefinaliseer het nie. Terwyl die onderhoude met diensverskaffers in Mpumalanga en KwaZulu- Natal gevoer is, is verdere telefoniese onderhoude met kundiges op die gebied van dienslewering in Soweto gevoer. Laasgenoemde het saamgestem dat munisipaliteite regoor die land oor die algemeen voor dieselfde uitdagings te staan kom, omdat hulle binne relatief nuwe beleidsraamwerke funksioneer. Daar word egter toegegee dat stedelike (metropolitaanse) munisipaliteite, en spesifiek die stad Johannesburg, ook met sekere unieke uitdagings te kampe het. Die gevolgtrekking waartoe gekom is, is dat die rol van plaaslike regering as die toesighouer oor basiese munisipale dienste nie betwis kan word nie, hoewel oneffektiwiteit en ondoeltreffendheid privaat vennootskappe vereis. ’n Verdere gevolgtrekking is dat niedeelname onder andere ’n gevolg is van ’n gebrek aan deelnemende kapasiteit binne gemeenskappe, apatie, wantroue in munisipale instellings en raadslede, en ’n gebrek aan inligting rakende gemeenskappe se verpligtinge jeens munisipale instellings. Die navorsing beveel aan dat gelyke dienste gelewer word in swart gemeenskappe en in tradisioneel wit gemeenskappe ten einde die siening dat daar onderskeid getref word, te verander. Daar behoort ook ’n hersiening van die munisipaliteit se rekeningestelsel te wees ten einde die skuldinvorderingsprobleme uit die weg te ruim. Deelnemende kapasiteit vir raadslede en gemeenskappe binne wyke moet verbeter word. Duidelike riglyne oor die rol van streeksdienstebestuursentrums moet ontwikkel en aan gemeenskappe oorgedra word. Verdere navorsing word aanbeveel om te bepaal of die privatisering van dienste tot beter toegang vir almal sal lei en of dit doeltreffendheid en betaling sal verbeter. Die funksionaliteit en effektiwiteit van wykskomitees as meganisme vir gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid sowel as die ontwikkeling van nuwe en meer betroubare sosio-ekonomiese modelle vir die bepaling van gemeenskapsvermoë om vir dienste te betaal, behoort ook ondersoek te word.

Fem år har passerat sedan Läroplan för grundsärskolan 2011, LGRSÄR11 (Skolverket, 2016), infördes. Denna läroplan innebar ett tydligt fokusskifte från att som tidigare ha en något mer omsorgsorienterad verksamhet till att istället arbeta på ett mer kunskapsinriktat sätt. Ungefär lika lång tid har gått sedan examensförordningen (SFS2011:688) trädde i kraft och förändrade behörighetskraven för undervisande personal i grundsärskolan. Grundsärskolan får ofta kritik för att fortfarande vara en alltför omsorgsinriktad verksamhet där kunskapsutveckling får stå tillbaka. En viktig fråga torde i sammanhanget vara att utröna vad omsorg är? Är det en term vars innebörd har förändrats i takt med verksamhetens utveckling över tid? Syftet med studien är dels att genom en historisk återblick påvisa en utveckling från en starkt omsorgsorienterad verksamhet till en modernare kunskapsutvecklande dito. Dels att genom intervjuer med tre speciallärare verksamma på grundsärskolor beskriva om och i så fall hur den nya examensförordningen från 2011 har påverkat och påverkar den svenska grundsärskolans verksamhet. Som teoretiskt ramverk har relationell pedagogik (Östlund, 2012) och Vygotskijs (2001) teorier om ett sociokulturellt perspektiv använts. Arbetet tar sin början med en historisk återblick, både för att synliggöra framväxt och utveckling och för att kunna reflektera över det perspektivskifte som är synligt idag. I beskrivningen av vad en speciallärare med inriktning mot utvecklingsstörning förväntas arbeta med omnämns inte ordet omsorg alls. Det nämns bara i styrdokument som rör alla skolformer, skollagen (SFS 2010:800) och LGRSÄR11 (Skolverket, 2016), vilket för tankarna till att omsorg inte är signifikant för grundsärskola. Studien undersöker genom intervjuer vilka effekter examensförordningen och därmed införandet av speciallärarexamen har för professionalisering, beträffande personalens behörighetsgrad och arbetssätt. Resultat och analys visar dels att termen omsorg kan behöva en modernare definition men också att studiens teoretiska ramverk verkar utgöra hörnpelare för ett gynnsamt arbetssätt i den svenska grundsärskolan.

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This work is inserted in the perspective of establishing a critic reflection about the proposal of social inclusion and people with disabilities, particularly those people who belong to the exploited social class. On this perspective, the starting point of the analysis is the understanding of the conditionings which took humanity to develop, historically, different practices and conceptions related the this segment, mainly: extermination or abandon, institutionalization, integration, inclusion, mystic and biologic or naïve. On the sequence, it is analyzed the uprising of the inclusive proposal, demonstrating that the mentioned proposal is an answer to the pressures made by excluded and marginalized segments, articulated with the new necessities imposed by capital´s need for expansion. Finally, there are presented and analyzed the main principals which are sustaining this proposal, especially: equal opportunities; respect for the diversity and valorization of the differences; and of concept relativist of knowledge, showing that these same principals have been responding fundamentally to the needs of the actual capitalist´s development model. Along the work, it is sustained the hypothesis that the social inclusion proposal, because it is based on those principals, cannot put itself as an effective instrument to combat the main determinants of the problems historically lived by the people with disabilities, but, on the contrary, it has been used to hide the classist nature of the capitalist society, which, nowadays, constitute the fundamental basis that sustain the whole process of generating inequality, exclusion and marginalization. On the perspective pointed by those principals, the concepts of classes' contradictions are discarded and fights between exploited and explorer are substituted for the proposition of a new attitude facing the social problems, involving changes specially on the formal plan. In order to the fight of people with disabilities can go over and above the denunciation of the traditional practices and conceptions, allowing the comprehension and the confrontation of the real determinants which, historically, have been excluding them, it is necessary that the fight does not remain restricted to the formal/ideal plan. However, this task must involve everyone who can formulate a critical analysis about the problems historically faced by humanity, contributing to put in doubt the conditions of existence of all marginalized segments from the materiality present in some historical moment. This comprehension will allow, surely, the denaturalization of the segregational practices and conceptions related to the people with disabilities, and insert the confrontation against them in the fighting process to overcome the capitalistic mode of production and the construction of a society without explorers and exploited, meaning a new social formation where every individual contributes according to its possibilities and receives according to its needs. That is the society in which can be established the necessary conditions so the defect, by itself, does not make a person with disability the individual who carries it.
Este trabalho insere-se na perspectiva de se estabelecer uma reflexão crítica a respeito da proposta de inclusão social e as pessoas com deficiência, particularmente aquelas pertencentes à atual classe social explorada. Nessa perspectiva, o ponto de partida da análise é o entendimento dos condicionantes que levaram a humanidade a desenvolver historicamente diferentes práticas e concepções relativas a esse segmento, principalmente as do extermínio ou abandono, institucionalização, integração, inclusão, mística e biológica ou ingênua. Na sequência é analisado o surgimento da proposta inclusiva, demonstrando que essa significa uma resposta às pressões dos segmentos excluídos e marginalizados, articulados com as novas demandas impostas pela necessidade de expansão do capital. Finalmente são apresentados e analisados os principais princípios que vêm sustentando essa proposta, em especial, os da igualdade de oportunidades, do respeito à diversidade e da valorização das diferenças e do conceito relativista de conhecimento, demonstrando que os mesmos têm respondido fundamentalmente às necessidades do atual modelo de desenvolvimento capitalista. Ao longo do trabalho sustenta-se a hipótese de que a proposta de inclusão social, por estar alicerçada nesses princípios, não pode ser colocada como um instrumento efetivo no combate aos principais determinantes dos problemas historicamente vivenciados pelas pessoas com deficiência, mas, pelo contrário, vem sendo utilizada para ocultar a natureza classista da sociedade capitalista, que, na atualidade, se constitui na base fundamental que sustenta todo um processo gerador de desigualdade, de exclusão e de marginalização. Na perspectiva apontada por tais princípios, são descartados os conceitos de contradição de classes e as lutas entre explorados e exploradores, propondo, em substituição, uma nova atitude diante dos problemas sociais, envolvendo principalmente mudanças no plano formal. Para que a luta das pessoas com deficiência possa ir além da denúncia das tradicionais práticas e concepções segregativas, permitindo a compreensão e o enfrentamento dos verdadeiros determinantes que historicamente as têm colocado na condição de excluídas, é necessário ultrapassar o plano formal/ideal e envolver todos aqueles que conseguem formular uma análise crítica a respeito dos problemas historicamente enfrentados pela humanidade, contribuindo para problematizar as condições de existência de todos os segmentos marginalizados a partir da materialidade presente num determinado momento histórico. Essa compreensão certamente permitirá a desnaturalização das práticas e das concepções segregativas relativas às pessoas com deficiência e inserir o enfrentamento contra as mesmas no processo de luta pela superação do modo de produção capitalista e a construção de uma sociedade sem explorados e exploradores, isto é, uma nova formação societária onde cada indivíduo contribua com a mesma conforme suas possibilidades e receba segundo suas necessidades. É nesta sociedade que se podem estabelecer as condições necessárias para que o defeito por si só não transforme alguém que o possui numa pessoa com deficiência.

Studien belyser lärar - elevrelationer och har ett relationellt perspektiv. Syftet med studien är att belysa hur lärare och elever på särskolan beskriver lärar-elevrelationer samt vilka likheter och skillnader det finns i beskrivningarna. Den teoretiska utgångspunkten för studien är Aspelins (2018) modell om relationskompetens, där aspekterna kommunikativ kompetens, differentieringskompetens, socio- emotionell kompetens, ett socialt tillvägagångssätt samt ett relationellt tillvägagångssätt, används i den teoretiska tolkningen. Studien är kvalitativ och utgörs av intervjuer med fyra lärare samt sju gymnasieelever i särskolan. I resultatet framkommer att lärarna ser sig ansvariga för relationsskapandet men även eleverna ser ett ansvar i att skapa en bra relation till sina lärare. Elevernas resultat visar att relationskompetensens olika delar kan ses i en lärare som är tydlig, pratar långsamt och visar välvilja med kroppsspråket. Eleverna ser positivt på att läraren är deras vän. Relationskompetensen ses i en lärare som kan balansera mellan humor och allvar i undervisningen, men också i en lärare som väljer bort utskällning för att istället använda verbala eller andra anpassningar.  Lärarintervjuerna visar även på att anpassningar i lärmiljön gynnar lärar- elevrelationen. Vidare ses relationskompetensen i en lärare som använder sitt kroppsspråk och sitt röstläge såväl som ett lågaffektivt bemötande gentemot eleven. Lärarna betonar vikten av ett genuint intresse för eleven, de vill skapa trygghet och inge självförtroende och se varje individ utan att “klumpa ihop dem” utefter deras diagnoser. I lärarintervjuerna framkommer det att det är en utmaning utifrån arbetet med relationer att sätta gränser mellan jobb och privatliv. Grundlärarutbildningen har i liten utsträckning gett lärarna förberedelse i relationsskapande.
The purpose of this study is to shed light on how teachers and students in Compulsory and Upper secondary school for pupils with intellectual disabilities, describe their relationships with each other as well as identifying similarities and differences between these descriptions. The theoretical framework for this study is Aspelin's (2018) model of relational competence. Specifically, the aspects of communicative competence, differentiation competence, socio-emotional competence, a social and a relational approach are used in the analysis process. The study is qualitative and consists of interviews with 4 teachers and 7 pupils in an Upper secondary national program for pupils with intellectual disabilities. The results show that the teachers consider themselves responsible for creating relationships, and the students also take responsibility for creating a good relationship with their teachers. The students' results show that the different parts of the relational competence can be seen in a teacher who speaks clearly, slowly and shows goodwill with their body language. The students are positive towards the teacher being a friend. Relational competence is seen in a teacher who can balance between humor and seriousness in their teaching, and in a teacher, who chooses not to raise their voice to reprimand but instead chooses to use verbal communication or other adaptations.  The teacher interviews show that adaptations in the learning environment benefit the teacher-student relationship. Furthermore, the relational competence is seen in a teacher who uses their body language and voice position as well as a low arousal approach towards the student. The teachers emphasize the importance of a genuine interest in the student, they want to create a feeling of safety towards the student and instill self-confidence within them and see every individual without "lumping them together" according to their diagnoses. The teachers claim that the establishing of positive relationships also poses a challenge in terms of setting boundaries between their professional and private lives. Finally, the teacher education programs had only provided relational competence training to a small extent.

Section A is a review of literature which has explored the experience of dementia in the context of couple relationships. Four key themes thought to be central to this experience were identified and highlight the impact of dementia upon couple relationships, and how aspects of relationships may influence the experience of dementia. Limitations and gaps in our understanding are highlighted. Most significantly, the existent literature focuses upon care partners’ perceptions and excludes people with dementia. Therefore, it is argued that a relational understanding of the experience of dementia, in the context of couple relationships, remains unknown. The review concludes with a rationale for why further research is needed and how people with dementia could be included. Section B describes a qualitative study, using interpretative phenomenological analysis, to investigate couples’ experiences of dementia. Seven couples were interviewed and five master themes (‘foundations’, ‘altered structures’, ‘self-restoration’, ‘flexible scaffolding’ and ‘reflective capacity’) emerged from analysis of the data. These themes offer an understanding of the experience of dementia from a relational perspective and depict the ways in which couples construct their experience in order to make sense of dementia, and the processes that they adopt in order to adjust to dementia. The findings of this study are supported by existing empirical and theoretical literature and have implications for future research and clinical practice.

This is a sociological jurisprudence study which focuses on "child perspective" in Law of Support and Service with Certain Functional Impairments, LSS. The purpose of the study was to clarify the meaning of child perspective in LSS and analyze it in relation to practice. The study was conducted with mixed strategies combining qualitative and jurisprudential methods. Both LSS and Law of Social Welfare, SoL, were studied. Social workers from dirrerent muncipalities in Sweden were interwiewed. To analyze the material we used "the child as a subject and actor or an object in need of protection" and "sociology of law - law as a political management control measure and conflict solver". The results showed that child perspective in LSS can be ambiguous and complex both within law and on the other hand children are pronounced as objects in need of protection. Disabled children´s participation in LSS is constrained because of several dilemmas such as colliding perspectives, communication impairments, scarce resources and, first and foremost, adult´s attitudes toward children.

Relational demographers and dissimilarity researchers contend that group members who are dissimilar (vs. similar) to their peers in terms of a given diversity attribute (e.g. demographics, attitudes, values or traits) feel less attached to their work group, experience less satisfying and more conflicted relationships with their colleagues, and consequently are less effective. However, qualitative reviews suggest empirical findings tend to be weak and inconsistent (Chattopadhyay, Tluchowska and George, 2004; Riordan, 2000; Tsui and Gutek, 1999), and that it remains unclear when, how and to what extent such differences (i.e. relational diversity) affect group members social integration (i.e. attachment with their work group, satisfaction and conflicted relationships with their peers) and effectiveness (Riordan, 2000). This absence of meta-analytically derived effect size estimates and the lack of an integrative theoretical framework leave practitioners with inconclusive advice regarding whether the effects elicited by relational diversity are practically relevant, and if so how these should be managed. The current research develops an integrative theoretical framework, which it tests by using meta-analysis techniques and adding two further empirical studies to the literature. The first study reports a meta-analytic integration of the results of 129 tests of the relationship between relational diversity with social integration and individual effectiveness. Using meta-analytic and structural equation modelling techniques, it shows different effects of surface- and deep-level relational diversity on social integration Specifically, low levels of interdependence accentuated the negative effects of surface-level relational diversity on social integration, while high levels of interdependence accentuated the negative effects of deep-level relational diversity on social integration. The second study builds on a social self-regulation framework (Abrams, 1994) and suggests that under high levels of interdependence relational diversity is not one but two things: visibility and separation. Using ethnicity as a prominent example it was proposed that separation has a negative effect on group members effectiveness leading for those high in visibility and low in separation to overall positive additive effects, while to overall negative additive effects for those low in visibility and high in separation. These propositions were sustained in a sample of 621 business students working in 135 ethnically diverse work groups in a business simulation course over a period of 24 weeks. The third study suggests visibility has a positive effect on group members self-monitoring, while separation has a negative effect. The study proposed that high levels of visibility and low levels of separation lead to overall positive additive effects on self-monitoring but overall negative additive effects for those low in visibility and high in separation. Results from four waves of data on 261 business students working in 69 ethnically diverse work groups in a business simulation course held over a period of 24 weeks support these propositions.

In recent years, key account management (KAM) has been increasingly accepted in the business-to-business market as an approach concerned with establishing and sustaining long-term relationships with a supplier’s most important business customers. Due to the considerable benefits that are associated with implementing this approach, there has been greater emphasis placed by practitioners and academics on the importance of KAM in business-to-business relationships. However, developing effective relationships with key accounts has remained a problematic issue. A major source of this difficulty can be attributed to a lack of understanding regarding the relational aspects of KAM. It is evident that KAM has been practised as a sales oriented approach rather than a relational oriented approach. Despite the rapidly expanding literature on KAM, little attention has been directed towards identifying the relational aspects of key account management and examining their impact on its effectiveness. This research seeks to address this gap in the literature by using the lens of social capital theory and relationship quality to investigate relational antecedents to the effectiveness of supplier- key account relationships. This research adopted mixed methods. A qualitative study was conducted through interviewing executives, managers and sales representatives who practise KAM in the Saudi market. This qualitative study aimed to explore relational aspects of key account management within this market. Drawing from the literature review and results of the qualitative analysis, the research model and hypotheses were developed. The research model was tested using structural equation modelling (AMOS). The data used to test it was collected from questionnaires sent to 172 supplier firms who are operating in the Saudi market. The present research offers insights into the major role of relational aspects of key account management in influencing key account management effectiveness. It provides empirical support to the links between social capital, relationship quality and the effectiveness of the supplier-key account relationship. Hence, social capital and relationship quality are recognised as critical to the effectiveness of the supplier-key account relationship. This research contributes to social capital, relationship quality, and key account management literature. Findings from this research would be useful for practitioners in the field of KAM.

This thesis portfolio comprises of three parts: Part one – Systematic Literature Review The systematic literature review explored the effectiveness of interventions to change negative perceptions of adults with intellectual disabilities. A systematic search identified 19 studies detailing various interventions. A narrative synthesis of the findings is presented, incorporating methodological critique throughout. Conclusions from the evidence base are drawn, with implications for future research. Part two – Empirical Paper The empirical paper explored the impacts of a theatre company on perceptions and understandings of intellectual disabilities from multiple perspectives including; members of the theatre company with intellectual disabilities, significant people in their lives, and members of the wider community. A qualitative approach was adopted, particularly thematic analysis. Four superordinate and nine subordinate themes were identified, acknowledging the connectivity, normality and growth associated with the theatre company, and offering recommendations for similar organisations. The findings are discussed relative to theoretical and empirical literature, culminating in implications of the results and avenues for future research. Part three - Appendices The appendices provide supplementary information for parts one and two, and also includes an epistemological statement and a reflective statement.

Approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year in the United States. Perspective taking is a repertoire known to be severely affected following a traumatic brain injury. The ability to take the perspective of another greatly contributes to social interactions and involves a complex set of skills. A small number of studies have attempted to train perspective taking skills in populations lacking the ability, but none with individuals diagnosed with TBI. This study aimed to teach perspective taking skills to adults with TBI through established protocols which teach deictic relational frames. Three adult males with traumatic brain injuries were exposed to the deictic relational training protocol. Each participant was tested on traditional theory of mind tasks prior to and following mastery of deictic training. All three participants achieved mastery of the relational training protocol and showed some improvement on theory of mind tasks following training and at follow-up.

In this thesis based on survey methodology, a questionnaire was distributed to 36 parents who were raising a child with a developmental disability. Parents were asked about their views on social sexual skills development during the formative years, their satisfaction with available social sexual services and the importance they attached to these services. A parent group interview was conducted to enhance understanding of this area. Findings indicated that parents do support social sexual skill development for their children and teens. Parents also indicated that it was important for parents to have access to relevant social sexual services.

To be successful in today s turbulent business environment it is very important for a company to exhibit flexibility in its processes, activities and interfaces. Such a flexible approach enables firms to adapt and improvise in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. In spite of there being ample research on how to achieve flexibility in a variety of business process and activities, there remains little understanding on how flexibility in managing the use of resources reveals itself in intra-organisational interfaces. This thesis sheds more light on this issue and investigates flexibility specifically in the relational context of cross-functional interfaces. The importance of developing and investigating flexibility at the cross-functional relational interface is embedded in the recognition that the ability and willingness of departments to adapt and to accommodate deviations from original strategies through their cross-functional working is a critical factor for success. This research investigates flexibility at one such interface that is argued to be essential in achieving organisational success but that is characterised by conflict, lack of cooperation and distrust the Marketing and Sales interface. A literature review incorporating two broad literature streams; i.e., the Marketing and Sales cross-functional relationship literature and the literature on organisational flexibility helped develop a guiding definition of Marketing and Sales Interface Flexibility (MSIF). This definition was subsequently confirmed in the exploratory phase of the thesis, thereby providing a stronger conceptualisation of the MSIF phenomenon. The concept was found to be predicated on social exchange theory s view on the M&S exchange relationship as a dynamic process in which both continuously adapt to each other s needs through modification of their resources required to match those needs. Consequently, a theoretical model was developed. This model argues for an inverted U-shaped relationship between MSIF and business performance. According to this model, beyond certain optimal point MSIF may reduce business performance. Based on the empirical testing of the model via a survey of 229 UK-based business organisations no support was found for the inverted U-shaped relationship between MSIF and customer performance. Results of the empirical testing indicated that MSIF has an inverted U-shaped relationship with a firm s market performance. These results imply that a firm s market success is secured at lower levels of MSIF whereas further increases in investments in MSIF may, at some point, become detrimental to an organisation s market performance (i.e., market share and sales volume). Therefore, the findings suggest that managers should manage MSIF wisely, hold themselves from over-investing in MSIF and seek to find the optimal level which will provide the best market performance. On the other hand, MSIF was found to have a linear, positive relationship to customer performance indicating that higher levels of MSIF will secure more a satisfied and loyal customer base. The study also incorporates the contingency theory perspective and hypothesises the moderating effect of market dynamism on the MSIF - performance relationship. The results indicate that the value of MSIF for generating market performance decreases as technological turbulence in the market increases. Based on the social exchange theory the relationship between four socially constructed antecedents and MSIF are proposed. The findings highlight the positive impact of, (1) trust in the Marketing and Sales relationship, and (2) rules and norms of social exchange between Marketing and Sales as reflected in compatible goals and joint rewards on MSIF. However, resource dependence asymmetry is found to be negatively related to MSIF suggesting that a misbalanced resource dependency between the two will hamper MSIF. The theoretical and practical implications of the study findings are subsequently presented along with an acknowledgment of the study s limitations and proposed future research to further explore this important area.

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a research approach that benefits from the expertise of community members being involved in the research along all stages of a project (Israel et al., 2003). CBPR is often utilized with marginalized populations in order to amplify a community's voice on important issues in their lives (Bastida, Tseng, McKeever, & Jack, 2010; Minkler & Wallerstein, 2008). In the past, persons with disability have been excluded from research in order to protect them from exploitation. This practice of exclusion undermines opportunities for persons with disabilities to be independent and make decisions that are important for themselves and their communities. Exclusion also limits the generation of new knowledge that can benefit them (McDonald & Keys, 2008). Through involvement on a CBPR project, persons with disabilities are given the opportunity to become empowered within the context of the project (Atkinson, 2004; Oden, Hernandez, & Hidalgo, 2010). This study examined empowerment definitions, evolution of empowerment definitions, and facilitators and barriers to community partners with and without disabilities becoming empowered through their work on a CBPR project. Overall, community partners' definitions of empowerment related to individual and setting-level characteristics. Individual-level empowerment was defined as self-efficacy, self-esteem, control over decision-making, and disability rights advocacy. Facilitators to empowerment within the CBPR process were promoting inclusion, promoting an accessible partnership, sharing of power within and between groups, and actively sharing and gaining knowledge within and between groups. Inaccessible communication, inaccessible language, and lack of project ownership were identified as possible barriers to empowerment. In most cases, empowerment definitions remained stable across one's work on this project, but there were instances of positive change in the lives of some community partners who expressed being empowered through the partnership. CBPR provides an opportunity for persons with developmental disabilities to be included in the research processes as well as possibly gain important qualities throughout, such as empowerment. This study situated the individual's empowerment beliefs and behaviors within the CBPR setting, identifying both facilitators and barriers, and provides support that a CBPR process can be empowering for community partners. Future research in collaboration with community partners should continue to focus on empowerment in all stages of the research project, local collaborations, and continued diversity of community engagement in research. Engaging in a formal reflection process and documenting the process for other researchers to learn from diverse barriers and facilitators to empowerment is encouraged.

This research explored the perception of the incorporation of ‘future-self’ for young people (YP) moving from specialist provision for children where the Local Authority have identified the provision as Moderate Learning Difficulties and additional needs, their parent/carers views, and the perspectives of professionals supporting their transition to mainstream further education. The ‘future-self’ approach had its basis in social cognitive theory, as the creation of imagined ‘future-selves’ is thought to influence an individual’s behaviour to aid them to work towards their aspired self (Baker, 2015; Markus & Nurius, 1986; Oysterman & James, 2011). Phase one used a case study methodology using semi-structured interviews to explore the YP and their parent/carer’s experience of transition planning having included the young person’s vision of their ‘future-self’, at aged 16. Materials were designed to aid their understanding using visual support. Phase two gained the views of YP using focus groups as they approach transition out of FE at aged 19 or older into continued training, employment, and on towards adulthood, in relation to inclusion of their vision of their ‘future-self’ in this preparation. This phase also explored the perceptions of the professionals for incorporating the young person’s view of their ‘future-self’ using semi-structured interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six stage thematic analysis to identify themes in the data. Focus groups were thematically analysed using Ritchie and Spencer’s (1994) five stage analysis. A number of themes were found for the YP at both stages, the parents/carers and the professionals. Findings indicated that the YP are more involved in the transition planning and a range of methods are applied to prepare the YP however there are a number of barriers still limiting the options for the YP such as: lack of choice available, protectiveness of others, low aspirations, failure to explore holistic longer term outcomes, insufficient multi-agency involvement, overreliance on parents, and the need for more effective strategic planning and awareness of the systems around the YP. The findings from this research indicate that applying a ‘future-selves’ approach for YP as a method to generate future aspirations to motivate YP’s behaviour has been effective as a tool to add to existing transition preparations. This could act as a way to overcome the currently existing poorer long term outcomes for YP with this population. Based upon this small scale project, further investigation would be required to assess the benefit for a wider population.

Disabled students� experiences of working with teacher aides constitute a recent focus of international inquiry. To date in New Zealand, there has been no specific investigation of this aspect of education, despite the widespread reliance on teacher aide support as the primary means of responding to disabled students� presence in schools. Similarly, there are very few New Zealand studies in which teacher aides are the primary participants. This thesis seeks to address this absence in New Zealand educational research by exploring students� and teacher aides� experiences of working together, in order to understand the impact of assigning responsibility for students who have complex learning support requirements to teacher aides who require no qualification, training, or experience to work in this role. This interpretive qualitative study is positioned in a multi-dimensional framework of current disability, social justice, and sociology of childhood theorising. A series of semi-structured meetings were held with ten students, aged eight to seventeen years, who attended schools in the South Island of New Zealand. As well, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eighteen teacher aides who worked in a range of primary, intermediate, and secondary schools in the same geographic area as the student participants. Data were interpreted utilizing both inductive and deductive means of analysis. Students� participation in the research and their contributions to the findings demonstrated their competence, agency, and heterogeneity. Students conveyed a sense of the importance and value of the teacher aide�s role, if clearly defined and carried out in a positive, professional manner within the context of supportive schools. The findings relating to teacher aides� experiences highlighted the diverse, ambiguous nature of their roles, conceptualised as a continuum of support ranging from aiding teachers in inclusive contexts, to aiding students in assimilationist circumstances, to assuming the role of teacher or babysitter for students in exclusive educational environments. Analysis of teacher aides� experiences revealed the fundamental importance of relationships in coming to know students in terms of their humanness and competence, and in underpinning teacher aides� efforts to do the right thing by students. Participants also identified the need for all adults involved in the policy and practice of education to develop shared understandings of respectful, socially just ways of thinking about disability and childhood as the foundation of a common commitment to teach all students well. The insight generated by participants, who represent perhaps the least powerful of students and employees in New Zealand schools, illuminates some of the most significant changes that need to occur in the thinking and practices of people involved in educational policy-making, teacher and teacher aide education, and schools. Addressing these educational deficits may contribute to the development of a socially just education system that is respectful of and responsive to human difference while recognising and respecting our mutual humanness.

The overall aim of this thesis was to explore and describe women’s recovery after a first myocardial infarction (MI) from an organisational, a relational and an individual perspective. In this thesis a longitudinal, explorative and descriptive design combining both quantitative (papers I-II) and qualitative (papers III-IV) methods has been used. Data was collected from healthcare professionals at 18 acute hospitals (paper I), which on two occasions answered a questionnaire dealing with cardiac rehabilitation efforts. From these 18 hospitals, 240 women who had suffereda first MI (paper II) were consecutively chosen to answer a questionnaire on three occasions on the subject of social support and social network. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data over time. Paper III and IV had an exploratory and descriptive design based on an inductive, qualitative content analysis approach. Interviews were conducted with 20 cardiac rehabilitation nurses (CRN) (paper III) and with 26 women suffering a first MI (paper IV). The results showed that patients with MI, and their next of kin, were offered a well-functioning cardiac rehabilitation on both measurement occasions. None of the hospitals offered a CRP that was specifically designed for women (paper I). The women perceived that the extent of general support, support from relatives, and professional support changed positively over time (paper II). The CRNs experienced that women’s recovery was influenced by their ability to cope with the stresses of life, if they wanted to be involved in their own personal care and how they related to themselves, and their opportunities to receive support (paper III). Women experienced that ability to approach the new perspective of life depended on how they embraced the three dimensions; behaviour, i.e. women’s acting and engaging in various activities, social i.e. how women receive and give support in their social environment, and psychological i.e. their way of thinking, reflect and appreciate life (paper IV). In conclusion, the four studies show that women’s recovery after a first MI is depending on factors emerging from an organisational, a relational and an individual perspective. Using knowledge from these three perspectives the possibility of a holistic approach to women’s recovery process to health will increase and the risk of a reductionist thinking will decrease.

There are substantial amounts of research on risk factors that contribute to abuse among adults with developmental disabilities. There are also studies that explore preventative measures and safety factors to help reduce abuse among the population. These relevant studies and research has examined the relationship between developmental disabilities, types of abuse, risk factors, effectiveness of risk assessments, and prevention. The main purpose of this study is to explore the problem of high abuse rates amongst this population and discuss social service professional’s perspective on the current preventative measures used to protect adults with developmental disabilities from abuse. For this quantitative study, the researcher distributed questionnaires to social service professionals to gauge their experiences with working with the developmentally disabled population, and assessing abuse. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed for the purpose of giving a descriptive and exploratory view of the study. The key findings of the study showed the demographics of the participants and clients, abuse types and assessment techniques, and outcomes of abuse cases. There were no significant findings between variables, but the data showed that there is a break down in effective assessment techniques and procedures when assessing abuse among the developmentally disabled. Limitations and recommendations for social work practice were also discussed.

Narratives help individuals to make sense of their lives and their everyday worlds. Within these narratives, individuals make sense of identities. Historically, people with disabilities have been depicted as helpless victims of their own bodies. However, during the twentieth century, disability rights social movements constructed a counter-narrative, stating that society’s reactions to different bodies was the real source of disability. While this was a positive status change for people with disabilities, it did not do enough to shed the status as victim. Yet many students with disabilities do not see themselves as victims. Therefore, I used narrative analysis to answer the question: “How do university students with disabilities make sense of their identities as adults with agency through narratives?” Furthermore, these narratives are not created in a vacuum. Many stories of identity-making surrounded narratives of being included or excluded from various social situations, leading to my second research question: To what extent have students with disabilities felt included/excluded in aspects of university life including clubs, organizations, sporting events, and other social aspects of the university in which other students participate? I am focusing on people with disabilities who seek accommodations, as they are acknowledging that they need help, which goes against the narrative of rugged individualism found in the United States of America. However, my research found that university students who seek accommodations do not construct themselves as victims. On the contrary, many students receiving accommodations construct narratives in which they are more hard working and more moral than other students.

Community psychology is concerned with the relationship between individuals and social systems in community contexts, but the field has under-explored the role of religious organizations in the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Worldwide, most people identify with a religion, and congregations serve as important mediating structure that creates a sense of community and provides linkages between individuals and society. There may be significant benefits to religious participation, including greater life satisfaction, health, and quality of life. Such benefits may be especially important to individuals with intellectual disability who generally experience poorer outcomes. However, we know very little about the inclusion of persons with intellectual disability in faith communities, particularly from the perspective of faith leaders who play pivotal roles in transmitting values and making decisions for their community. The present dissertation aimed to address gaps in knowledge about how religious leaders make meaning of intellectual disabilities and their perspectives toward individuals with intellectual disabilities. Catholic priests, parochial vicars, and deacons were interviewed to address three overarching research questions, viz. (a) What types of experiences, in and outside of faith communities, do religious leaders have with individuals with intellectual disabilities?; (b) What are the beliefs of religious leaders toward the involvement of individuals with intellectual disabilities within faith communities?; and (c) How does religion inform the understanding of intellectual disabilities among religious leaders? Participation was limited to religious leaders who are part of the U.S. Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Portland, Oregon. Participation was only sought from religious leaders who are assigned to parishes that either host adaptive liturgies or were identified as having at least one parishioner with developmental disabilities participating in the mainstream mass. A total of 12 religious leaders (pastors, parochial vicars, and deacons) participated in the present study. Semi-structured interviews illuminated the perspectives of religious leaders toward individuals with intellectual disabilities such as the type of involvement individuals with intellectual disabilities are encouraged to engage in within the congregation. Additionally, participants were also asked about how they made meaning of intellectual disabilities. Using grounded theory analysis, I identified five models of intellectual disability that organize the complex relationships among the focal research questions. These five models include (1) Close to God, (2) Conformity, (3) Unfortunate Innocent Children, (4) Deficient, and (5) Human Diversity. Among the five models, Human Diversity viewed intellectual disability as a natural part of human variation while the rest focused on negative or positive stereotypes of intellectual disabilities. Each model yields a different definition which results in varying determinations of the needs of people with intellectual disabilities. However, each definition is one dimensional and bound in culture. Most of these models suggest that the construction and categorization of intellectual disability may perpetuate inequality. Additional research is needed to explore the boundaries of models of intellectual disabilities constructed within a religious context. The present dissertation is one step in exploring meanings of intellectual disabilities and factors that impact their participation in faith communities

The aim of this study is to describe and analyze how teachers can create participation in the work of classroom blogs for students in language-, reading- and writing difficulties. Another aim is also to see what challenges and possibilities it brings. The issue addressed in this study is how the educational work can be planned, how the teachers describe that they create participation for students with language-, reading- and writing difficulties, and the strengths and weaknesses that are present in this way of work. The purpose and issues of the study were answered through semi-structured interviews where the questions in an interview-guide were sent to the participants in advance, to give them the opportunity to reflect on the issues that should be addressed. The interviews have been recorded and then transcribed. All participants were selected from a list of active blogs and the main focus area was primary education grade 1-6. All teachers in the study have a broad experience of classroom blogging. The result showed how teachers, through their work with classroom blogs, create great variation in their teaching. Recipients for students' work were a big motivation factor for the students, and the teachers in the study invited the students in the educational planning. Thanks too many forms of expressions such as text production, images and moviemaking students are given the opportunity to express themselves in what way they feel comfortable in. It also offers good opportunities for participation for all students. One difficulty in this type of work is the teachers’ need of technical knowledge, and the anxiety students with language-, reading- and writing difficulties may feel when they are going to publish an online text.
Studiens syfte är att beskriva och analysera hur lärare kan skapa delaktighet kring arbetet med klassblogg hos elever i språk-, läs- och skrivsvårigheter. Syftet är också att se vilka utmaningar och möjligheter arbetet medför. De frågor som studien belyser är hur det pedagogiska arbete med klassblogg kan se ut, hur pedagogerna beskriver att de skapar delaktighet för elever i språk-, läs- och skrivsvårigheter samt vilka styrkor och svagheter som finns med detta arbetssätt. Frågeställningarna och studiens syfte är besvarade genom halvstrukturerade intervjuer där frågorna i intervjuguiden skickats ut till informanterna i förväg för att de innan intervjun skulle få möjlighet att fundera över frågorna som skulle behandlas. Intervjuerna har spelats in och sedan transkriberats. Samtliga informanter valdes ut ifrån webbstjärnans lista över aktuella bloggar och fokusområdet var årskurs 1-6. Samtliga pedagoger i studien har en bred erfarenhet av bloggar i undervisningen. Resultatet visade hur pedagogerna genom sitt arbete med klassbloggar skapar stor variation i sin undervisning. Eftersom att bloggarna är publika får elevernas texter en mottagare utanför klassrummet. Något som är en stor motivationsfaktor för eleverna. Pedagogerna i studien bjuder in eleverna i planeringen av undervisningen vilket skapar ett gott undervisningsklimat. Tack vare de många uttrycksformer så som text, bild och film eleverna kan använda i arbetet med sin klassblogg skapas goda möjligheter till delaktighet hos samtliga elever. En svårighet i arbetssättet med bloggar är det tekniska kunnande det fodrar av personalen. En annan svårighet som upplevs är oroskänslan som elever i språk-, läs och skrivsvårigheter kan känna när de skall publicera en text online.

Cultural beliefs and practices affect factors associated with early diagnosis of developmental disorders, parents' understanding of the disorder, beliefs about causes, and choice of treatment procedures. Currently, most research regarding autism emanates from Western cultural perspectives. However, the notion that treatment methods are universal and that they can simply be developed in the West and exported elsewhere is inherently flawed. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experience of parents from India now living in the US or other countries outside India who have a child with an autism spectrum disorder, and explore the unique contributions of the Indian culture in parents' understanding and acceptance of a childhood disability like autism. Specific cross-cultural variables measured in the study included what symptoms the parents first recognized in their child, parents' beliefs about causes, choice of treatment procedures, roles of grandparents in the child's life, availability of community resources, parent-professional interactions, and acculturation. Twenty seven parents of children with autism (24 mothers, 3 fathers) participated in the study; all but 3 of them now lived outside India. All 27 participants and their spouses were Indian in ethnicity and were born and raised in India. Most parents endorsed the western beliefs in a combination of genetics, environmental toxins, and biological factors; a substantial number also endorsed a belief that immunizations were a direct cause. A significant minority of our parents also called upon traditional Indian beliefs in karma, destiny or fate, and parental mistakes in present or past life. Most of these parents were far from their own parents and in-laws and thus removed from the high level of grandparental involvement that would be typical if they had stayed at home; however, despite the long distance separating them, a majority of the families consider their parents and in-laws as important sources of emotional support. Although a majority of parents reported that they currently do not use any treatment that came from their Indian culture, about half reported that they would prefer to use a combination of both western and Indian medicine and educational practices, if it is made available. A majority of parents in the study appear to be well integrated with their host culture. These parents have become bicultural by maintaining characteristics of their own natal culture, while selectively acquiring those of their host culture.

Aim: The principal aim of this qualitative research study is to gain a clearer understanding of oppression as experienced by People with Learning Disabilities (PWLD). In particular, this study investigated: 1) the nature of oppression - the typical kinds of oppression PWLD face during the course of their everyday lives; 2) the causes of their oppressive experiences: 3) the impact these oppressive experiences can have on their quality of life; and 4) their reaction - the strategies PWLD employ to prevent further oppression. Rationale: Despite policies of deinstitutionalisation since the 1980s, many PWLD have not found social integration easy and continue to endure oppressive experiences in community-based settings. The nature/extent of this social problem has often been overlooked by researchers and practitioners. Methods: This research was conducted using interpretive phenomenology as a methodology; an approach which influenced the study’s design, method of data collection and strategy for analysing the rich qualitative findings. Semi-structured interviews were carried out across two sample populations; a group of PWLD (N=11) and a group of community-based practitioners/carers (N=11). The participants were selected through purposive sampling and the qualitative data was analysed using a specific Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) process. Findings: PWLD remain a deeply oppressed social group. Respondents reported experiencing multiple forms of oppression, which seem to interact in complex ways and be present throughout the course of their lives. The two key super-ordinate themes (most dominant forms of oppression experienced by PWLD) emerging from the process of IPA appear to be: 1) The life-long effects of marginalisation (social exclusion, powerlessness and existing as a socio-economic underclass) and 2) Multiple forms of victimisation (coping with exploitation, intimidation and abuse, both overt and subtle, from the public, family members and at times practitioners). Respondents believe that the underlying cause of their oppressive experiences is society’s negative perception. Negative attitudes and beliefs arise from oppressive social forces such as: the use of diagnostic labels, segregated special needs education and limited opportunities for employment. These are experiences which respondents assert often do little more than spoil their social identity as human beings. Conclusion: The findings confirm that PWLD living in the community continue to encounter negative social experiences which are pervasive. This research attempts to draw together and make sense of these experiences in terms of the concept of oppression. Through gaining a clearer understanding of the marginalised and victimised status of PWLD policy makers will be more informed about how to respond to their social and economic needs, and in turn help alleviate their experiences of oppression.

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O objetivo central deste estudo consiste em analisar as estratégias da gestão educacional para a inclusão de alunos com necessidades educativas especiais nos Colégios da Rede Jesuíta de Educação da Região Sul do Brasil. Considerando conhecer como os gestores pensam a educação inclusiva, como estão estruturados os atuais processos de gestão e quais são os limites e possibilidades dessas instituições para a inclusão de alunos com deficiência, esses elementos são necessários para pensar em estratégias de trabalho mais coletivas em torno da inclusão. A pesquisa é qualitativa com uma abordagem metodológica de estudo de casos múltiplos, apresenta dados quantitativos extraídos da análise dos dados do Censo Escolar de 2016 e 2017. A coleta de dados é composta de três estratégias de pesquisa: entrevista, discussão de grupo/rodas de conversa e coleta documental. As entrevistas e grupos/rodas de conversa foram desenvolvidas com 14 gestores das áreas de Coordenação e os três níveis de Direção dos Colégios pesquisados, a definição por esse público decorreu da importância desses sujeitos no papel formativo e viabilizador da inclusão de pessoas com deficiência nas instituições pesquisadas. A coleta documental complementa a abordagem metodológica no sentido de viabilizar o acesso às informações e aproximar o pesquisador dos processos já sistematizados de inclusão dentro das instituições. Os resultados mostram instituições muito preocupadas com a inclusão de alunos com necessidades educativas especiais e mobilizando-se para atender a essa realidade com qualidade, porém com muitas incertezas de como responder às demandas de inclusão e fazer com que essa realidade seja assumida como cultura institucional pela comunidade educativa. Olhando para os resultados da pesquisa, a formação vem com um elemento essencial na construção de uma cultura mais inclusiva, fortalecida enquanto projeto de gestão educacional capaz de organizar os processos e construir uma visão mais humanizada da educação inclusiva, esses elementos subsidiam a proposta de intervenção. Por fim o Serviço Social com suas contribuições nessa pesquisa resgata a importância de refletir sobre o papel da educação na vida dos alunos com deficiência, que necessitam de instituições comprometidas com seus direitos e que oportunizem através da formação melhores condições de vida e desenvolvimento.
The central objective of this study consists in the analysis of the educational management strategies for the inclusion of students with special educational needs in the Jesuit Education Network Schools from the South region of Brazil. Considering knowing how managers think the inclusive education, how the current management processes are structured and what are the limits, possibilities and receptivity of these institutions for the inclusion of students with disabilities, these are necessary elements to think about work strategies in a collective way towards the inclusion. The research is qualitative with a methodological approach of multiple case studies, presents quantitative data extracted from the analysis of the data of the School Census of 2016 and 2017. The data collection is composed of three research strategies: interview, discussion in groups/round of conversation and collection of documents. The interviews and groups/round of conversation were developed with 14 managers of the Coordination areas and the three levels of Direction of the Colleges surveyed, the definition to this public was due to the importance of them in the formative and enabling role of the inclusion of people with disabilities in the institutions researched. The collection of documents complements the methodological approach in order to make the information accessible and to bring the researcher closer to the already systematized processes of inclusion within the institutions. The results show institutions very concerned about the inclusion of students with special educational needs and mobilized to attend this reality with quality, but with many uncertainties of how to respond the demands of inclusion and to make this reality be assumed as an institutional culture by the educational community. Looking at the results of the research, training comes as an essential element in the construction of a more inclusive culture, strengthened as an educational management project capable of organizing the processes and build a more humanized vision of inclusive education; these elements subsidize the intervention proposal. Finally, the Social Work with its contributions in this research brings the importance of reflecting on the role of education in the lives of students with disabilities, who need institutions committed to their rights and provide a better education through living and development.

Perspective taking is a pivotal behavioral repertoire essential for social functioning and is recognized as a hallmark deficit of the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Recent advancements in the Relational Frame Theory have led to the development of a perspective-taking training protocol shown to improve performance on Theory of Mind tasks in typically developing children; however, there has been little research on the generality of these findings in children with ASD. The impact of deictic responding on social interaction is also undetermined. The current study aimed to: a), evaluate the effectiveness of multiple exemplar training of deictic relations on perspective taking abilities in children with ASD, b), assess the impact of deictic relations on naturalistic Theory of Mind tasks, and c), assess generality of the deictic repertoire on pretend play. All three participants acquired deictic repertoires through double reversed complexity. Acquisition of the relational operants was variable and required many sessions for each participant. Two of three participants showed transfer of perspective taking to the Strange Stories test, all three participants showed overall improvement in performance on various Theory of Mind tasks; and lastly, participants showed mixed results on transfer to pretend play. Implications for using multiple exemplar training in supporting social understanding, prerequisite skills for deictic relational responding, and training strategies are discussed.

This study is about education of students with profound intellectual disabilities, in Sweden the training school (Sw. Träningsskola), where one or more of the students also have autism spectrum disorders. The training school is characterized by individualized forms of teaching. The study is looking into what triggers is affecting the supportive networks decisions, during sessions. In the study all staff in the team, teachers as well as assistants is titled supporters. The national framework for research is showing that teachers in special schools are facing new challenges for improvements. Knowledge-orientation and caretaking are of equal importance for improved learning. Research shows that variation might be useful for enlightenment for students with ASD. All teaching, especially in the training schools, the close encounter, as well as perspectives of relationship, is pointed out. International research emphasizes knowledge in methodology, personal treatment and evaluation of methods for improved communication, as well as the students influence in the pedagogical planning. Focus of this study is to investigate what triggers the actions of the supporter in the training session. The theoretical framework is drawn out of a socio-cultural perspective. The use of artefacts and the relational perspective is tested against respondent’s testimonies. Methodology in use is a mixed method with results from questionnaires and interviews locked together, to create both depth and breadth, in a step by step exploration of supporter’s actions. Analysis of results shows that the supporters actions to some extent is guided by authorization and competence, but that “one to one” sessions outward boundaries, which both pose a danger and an opportunity for the students improvements of knowledge. The use of artefacts is comprehensive. Results show an example of a widening of the approach to tools / aids and even nature is described as significant for the teaching environment. The criticism for passivity that training school receives can be reduced by the compassion of the supporter since the supporter´s attention gives the student variations and possibilities for choice. The discussion in this study points out a possibility to see the importance of both using and setting out markers for the supporters efforts, which could improve mediation for the student when using a relationship between student and supporter. In further studies, observations in combination with focus groups can be made for greater depth, strength and validity, for the improvement of the practice in training school.

This thesis is aimed at making an inquiry into the theoretical roots of a dualistic approach used in the anaysis of state/market relation and at showing in what ways this approach dominates the current debates on globalization and the state. For the theoretical discussion, the works of Hayek, Weber and Polanyi
for the actual discussions, selected methodologies from the international political economy literature are examined. The study argues that two dominant approaches emerging in the political economy literature, which can be identified as &ldquo
state-centric&rdquo
and &ldquo
market forces-centric&rdquo
, do reproduce state/market duality and that an alternative perspective which may overcome this duality can only be elaborated within the framework of the form analysis.

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
Theory of Mind is conventionally defined as the ability to understand and make inferences about one’s own mental states (i.e., desires, intentions and beliefs) and those of other people, and based on this repertoire, one can predict and explain human behavior. Recent research, supported by Relational Frame Theory (RFT), has emphasized the role of perspective taking in the development of Theory of Mind. Results suggest that children who undergo perspective-taking training show improved performance in Theory of Mind tasks. The goal of the present study was to administer the Perspective Taking Protocol, used in these previous studies, in Brazilian children with low performance in theory of mind tasks. Three studies were conducted, two of them being pilot studies, which revealed the need for adaptations to the original procedure. Study 1 aimed to test the original protocol with one child aged 4 years and 9 months. The protocol consisted in the presentation of blocks of simple verbal trials and trials including reversal and double reversal of roles with the experimenter. Trials included the deictic frames I-YOU, HERE-THERE and NOW-THEN. The protocol, however, proved to be incompatible with the child’s repertoire, that is, he did not meet the learning criteria established in the original study. In order to test the difficulty level of the protocol, in Study 2, two young university students received the same training. Data suggested that the two adult participants succeeded in completing the protocol, having met criteria; however, they did face difficulties during the procedure. In Study 3, four participants, aged 4 and 5, were administered an adapted version of the protocol. In order to train reversed trials, physical tips (i.e., cards) and gestural signs were used and were gradually withdrawn until participants could respond without any assistance. Participants were also evaluated in three tasks of Theory of Mind, before and after the teaching procedure. During training, children were able to respond correctly on the reversed trials, even after removal of physical tips. All four participants showed improved performance in Theory of Mind tasks after training, with scores 1 or 2 points higher (scores could vary from 0 to 3), in comparison to pretest. Results suggest that, despite the evidence showing that the Perspective Taking Protocol is effective, it should be altered in order to be consistent with the repertoire of children with quite distinct characteristics from those who participated in the original study. In the case of children participating in the present research, changes in the distribution of trials throughout training blocks, as well as changes in the format of those trials had a positive learning effect. We hope the results of the present study may encourage future work on the potential benefits of procedures aimed at perspective taking training, in particular, with individuals who present delays or difficulties in social cognition.
A Teoria da Mente é convencionalmente definida como a habilidade de compreender e fazer inferências sobre os próprios estados mentais (i.e., desejos, intenções e crenças) e os de outras pessoas, e com base nesse repertório, predizer e explicar comportamentos humanos. Pesquisas recentes, apoiadas na Teoria das Molduras Relacionais (Relational Frame Theory- RFT), têm enfatizado o papel da tomada de perspectiva no desenvolvimento da Teoria da Mente. Os resultados sugerem que crianças submetidas a um treinamento de tomada de perspectiva apresentam um melhor desempenho em tarefas de Teoria da Mente. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo aplicar o Protocolo de Tomada de Perspectiva usado nesses estudos em crianças brasileiras com desempenho baixo em tarefas de Teoria da Mente. Três estudos foram conduzidos, sendo dois deles estudos pilotos, que levaram a adaptações do procedimento original. O Estudo 1 teve como objetivo testar o protocolo original com uma criança de 4 anos e 9 meses. O protocolo consistia na apresentação de blocos de tentativas verbais simples e de tentativas que incluíam reversão e dupla reversão de papéis com o experimentador. As tentativas englobavam as molduras dêiticas EU-VOCÊ, AQUI-AÍ e AGORA-ENTÃO. O protocolo, no entanto, mostrou-se incompatível com o repertório apresentado pela criança, sendo que ela não atingiu os critérios de aprendizagem estabelecidos no estudo original. De forma a testar o nível de dificuldade do protocolo, dois jovens universitários passaram pelo mesmo treinamento no Estudo 2. Os dados revelaram que os dois adultos foram capazes de completar o protocolo dentro dos critérios estabelecidos, no entanto, apresentaram algumas dificuldades durante o procedimento. No Estudo 3, quatro crianças, com 4 e 5 anos de idade, foram submetidas a uma versão adaptada do protocolo. Para o treinamento das tentativas reversas, foram utilizadas dicas físicas como fichas e indicações gestuais, retiradas gradativamente até que os participantes respondessem sem ajuda. As crianças participantes foram avaliadas em três tarefas de Teoria da Mente, antes e depois do procedimento de ensino. As crianças, durante o treinamento, foram capazes de responder às tentativas reversas corretamente, mesmo depois da remoção das dicas físicas. Todos os quatro participantes apresentaram melhora no seu desempenho em Teoria da Mente após o treinamento, com escores 1 ou 2 pontos mais altos (escores podiam variar de 0 a 3), em relação ao pré-teste. Os resultados sugerem que, apesar das evidências da eficácia do Protocolo de Tomada de Perspectiva, ele deve ser modificado de forma a se adequar ao repertório de crianças com características distintas daquelas que participaram do estudo original. No caso das crianças participantes da presente pesquisa, as alterações tanto na distribuição das tentativas ao longo dos blocos de treino quanto no formato das mesmas tiveram um efeito positivo na aprendizagem. Espera-se que os resultados do presente estudo possam encorajar trabalhos futuros que investiguem os potenciais benefícios de procedimentos voltados para o treinamento da tomada de perspectiva, em especial, em indivíduos com atrasos ou comprometimentos em cognição social.

In this thesis, I ask how our understanding of human relations carries implications for the way we understand the affordances of communication technology on human relations. To this end, I examine and compare two opposed perspectives of human relations and social life. The first perspective, networked individualism, is a version of network theory that begins with a foundation of agentic individuals who actively construct and manage their social worlds. Levinasian relationalism, the second perspective, offers a contrasting view that sees human relations as constitutive of human subjectivity. In comparing these two perspectives, I argue that networked individualism is an inadequate framework inasmuch as its ontological assertions prevent it from seeing some of the significant affordances of technology on human relations, and I suggest that Levinasian relationalism is a viable alternative.

Syftet med studien är att lyfta fram olika aspekter av förskollärares erfarenheter av att delta i barns fantasilek. Studien avser även att undersöka hur förskollärare blir och är delaktiga i barns fantasilek, samt hur detta påverkar hur lärandet tar sig uttryck. Tidigare forskning har visat att förskollärare sällan intar en roll i barns fantasilek. Detta trots deras uppfattning om lekens betydelse för att ta del av barns tankar, idéer och intressen samt utvecklandet av deras fantasi. Hur förskollärare väljer att förhålla sig till barns fantasilek påverkar utvecklandet av fantasileken och det lärande som möjliggörs samt hur förskollärarna kan närma sig barns perspektiv. Studien har genomförts med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer med sex verksamma förskollärare. Resultatet som framkom genom intervjuerna analyserades utifrån von Wrights (2000) pedagogiska rekonstruktion av George Herbert Meads teori om människors intersubjektivitet. I resultatet framkom att det finns en rädsla hos förskollärare att störa barns fantasilek i deras försök att bli delaktiga i den. Samtidigt visade resultatet att förskollärare ser deras delaktighet i fantasilek som en möjlighet att utvidga lärandet i leken. Det finns en stark ambition hos förskollärare att komma nära barns perspektiv, vilket studien visar att deras deltagande i fantasileken ger stora förutsättningar för. Resultatet visade att förskollärares delaktighet i barns fantasilek fordrar en lyhördhet hos förskollärarna, vilket kan kallas en fingertoppskänsla.
The purpose of the study is to highlight different aspects of preschool teachers' experiences of participating in children's imaginary play. The study also intends to investigate how preschool teachers become a part of and participate in children's imaginary play, and how this affects how learning is expressed. Previous research has shown that preschool teachers rarely take a role in children's imaginary play. This is despite their perception of the importance of play to take part in children's thoughts, ideas and interests and the development of their imagination. How preschool teachers choose to relate to children's imaginary play affects the development of imaginary play and the learning that is made possible, as well as how preschool teachers can approach children's perspectives. The study was conducted with the help of semi-structured interviews with six active preschool teachers. The results that emerged from the interviews were analyzed based on von Wright's (2000) pedagogical reconstruction of George Herbert Mead's theory of human intersubjectivity. The results showed that there is a fear among preschool teachers of disturbing children's imaginary play in their attempts to participate in it. At the same time, the results showed that preschool teachers see their participation in imaginary play as an opportunity to expand learning in play. There is a strong ambition among preschool teachers to get close to children's perspectives, which the study shows that their participation in the imaginary play provides great conditions for. The results showed that preschool teachers' participation in children's imaginary play requires a sensitivity on the part of preschool teachers, which can be called a fingertip feeling.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The introduction of inclusive education in the South African educational system may be seen as one of the first steps to promote equality and human rights in post-apartheid South Africa. With the implementation of inclusive education, education became less segregated and fragmented, with the aim of ensuring equal learning opportunities for all children, including those with disabilities. The main driving force of inclusive education in South Africa is the Education White Paper 6 on Special Needs Education: Building an inclusive education and training system published in 2001. The aim of this study was to understand inclusive education from the perspectives of those who are charged with the implementation thereof. Classroom educators (teachers) together with district-based support teams are seen as the primary resource for achieving the goal of an inclusive education and training system. This study focused on the perspectives of teachers from one primary and one secondary school in one education district (Education District A) and District-based support team members from another education district (Education District B) in the Western Cape. The study takes on a social constructionist paradigm and illustrates how our understanding and conceptualisation of disability have changed overtime. A social constructionist paradigm highlights the way in which disability is a socially constructed and how it changes according to our understanding thereof. The different models of disability and the role of education was also a main focus of this study. A qualitative research design was used, with purposive and opportunity sampling being applied. Data was gathered using focus groups and in-depth semi-structured interviews and was analysed using thematic analysis. The key findings of this study showed that the teachers and district-based support team members believe that inclusive education can be successful in South Africa provided that changes are made in how it is currently conceptualised and implemented. The teachers have a very different perspective on inclusive education from the support team members. The teachers believe that the success of inclusive education can only be ensured if barriers to teaching are prevented or eradicated, while the support team members believe the success of inclusive education depends on the identification and prevention of barriers to learning. Both groups do however believe that inclusive education is a very good ideal to strive towards but that it has not yet been achieved and that the inclusion and education of all learners are of great importance.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bekendstelling van inklusiewe onderwys in die Suid-Afrikaanse onderwysstelsel kan gesien word as een van die eerste stappe om gelykheid en menseregte in post-apartheid Suid-Afrika te bevorder. Met die implementering van inklusiewe onderwys het die onderwysstelsel meer toeganklik en minder gefragmenteerd geword. Die doel van inklusiewe onderwys is om te verseker dat alle kinders, ook dié met gestremdhede, gelyke leergeleenthede kry. Die belangrikste dryfkrag agter inklusiewe onderwys in Suid-Afrika is die Onderwys Witskrif 6 oor Spesiale Onderwys: Die bou van 'n inklusiewe onderwys-en opleidingstelsel wat in 2001 gepubliseer is. Die doel van hierdie studie was om inklusiewe onderwys vanuit die perspektiewe van diegene wat dit moet implementeer te verstaan. Klaskamer opvoeders (onderwysers) asook distrikgebaseerde kringondersteuningspanne word gesien as die primêre bronne vir die bereiking van 'n inklusiewe onderwys-en opleidingstelsel. Hierdie studie het op die perspektiewe van onderwysers, van een primêre en een sekondêre skool in een onderwysdistrik (Onderwysdistrik A), en kringondersteuningspanlede, van ʼn tweede onderwysdistrik (Onderwysdistrik B), in die Wes-Kaap gefokus. Die studie neem 'n sosiale konstruktivistiese paradigma aan en illustreer hoe ons begrip en definiëring van gestremdheid oor tyd verander het. 'n Sosiale konstruktivistiese paradigma beklemtoon die manier waarop gestremdheid sosiaal gekonstrueer is en hoe dit verander volgens hoe ons begrip daarvan verander. Die verskillende modelle van gestremdheid en die rol van onderwys was ook 'n hooffokus van hierdie studie. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is gebruik, doelgerigte steekproefneming en geleentheid-steekproefneming was toegepas om die deelnemers te kies. Data is ingesamel deur middel van fokusgroepe en in-diepte semigestruktureerde onderhoude en is ontleed deur gebruik te maak van tematiese analise. Die belangrikste bevindings van hierdie studie was dat die onderwysers en distrikgebaseerde kringondersteuningspanlede van mening is dat inklusiewe onderwys slegs in Suid-Afrika suksesvol kan wees mits daar veranderinge gemaak word in hoe ons dit tans konseptualiseer en implementeer. Die onderwysers se perspektief van inklusiewe onderwys verskil heelwat van die perspektiewe van die kringondersteuningspanlede. Die onderwysers is van mening dat van inklusiewe onderwys slegs verseker sal wees indien hindernisse wat onderrig verhoed, voorkom of uitgewis word. Kringondersteuningspanlede is weer van mening die sukses van inklusiewe onderwys afhang van die identifisering en voorkoming van hindernisse van leer. Beide groepe is egter van mening dat inklusiewe onderwys 'n baie goeie ideaal is om na te streef, maar dat dit nog nie bereik is nie, ook dat die insluiting en opvoeding van alle leerders van groot belang is.

Objectives: This study examined the experiences of older parents who provide long-term care for their adult children with learning disabilities and how they conceptualise their quality of life. Method: Data were collected using semi-structured interviews during the period 2009 to 2012 with 27 older parent carers from four London boroughs and were analysed using framework technique. Findings: Findings indicate benefits as well as challenges. Most participants appraised their quality of life positively, despite the challenges they had to negotiate on a daily basis. They reported rewards and benefits from caregiving, more so in later life, such as: a connected family from shared caregiving; having a sense of belonging; purposeful living; a reciprocal relationship with their adult children; and personal transformations from providing care which improved their quality of life. The challenges that participants regularly encountered were: the added stress of the government’s Personalisation Agenda of caring services (particularly through direct payments); struggles for access to services; multiple losses (sleep, career, identity and friends); worry about future care; fear of abuse when carers are unable to continue in their role; unhelpful attitudes of health and social care professionals; and a lack of empathy from friends as well as the public towards people with learning disabilities. Conclusion: The findings indicate that caregiving and quality of life are inextricably linked. The difficulties that parent carers experienced were mainly associated with socio-structural barriers, rather than their children’s disabilities. Importantly, the findings inform the practice of social workers and others who support this unique group of carers by providing new insights into how caring impacts on quality of life and how best these parents’ needs can be met. This study makes a specific contribution to understanding the phenomenological realities of older carers and extends current conceptualisations of quality of life among older people.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2006.
Title from title screen. Joel Meyers, committee chair; Barbara Meyers, Ramona W. Matthews, Christine Siegel, committee members. Electronic text (146 p.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed Aug. 15, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-135).

Syftet var att undersöka vilka strategier lärare har för att skapa goda pedagogiska relationer med elever. Undersökningen genomfördes med fokusgruppsamtal som metod, vilket genererade data för en fenomenografisk analys utifrån ett relationellt perspektiv. Sammanlagt deltog tretton lärare i undersökningen och resultatet visar att det finns ett spektrum av olika strategier hos lärare i syfte att bygga pedagogiska relationer i med fokus på att stärka elevernas studiemotivation.
The aim of this study was to investigate teacher’s strategies to promote good pedagogical relations with their students. The method was dialog in focus groups that contributed data for fenomenographic analyses with a relational perspective as a theoretical framework. In total, thirteen teachers participated in the study and the result exposed that there is a substantial variety of strategies to promote good pedagogical relations for motivational purposes.

The purpose of this study is that the stories provide insight into and understanding of institutionalized girls experiences and views on their schooling, and from their stories also explore how schools can create opportunities for students who challenge. An overriding purpose is also that the girls’ life stories in the long run lead to a school developing work. To provide a better understanding of the girls, qualitative methods with a narrative approach have been used. In the theory chapter I have used, inter alia, George H. Mead and Aaron Antonovsky's theories; Mead's theories to illuminate and understand the interactions between people and their understanding of each other, while Antonovsky's theory highlights the importance of creating meaningfulness, manageability and comprehensibility to people in vulnerable situations. The results show that by taking in the girls' valuable experiences and wise thoughts, we can affect their schooling positively instead of continuing as we do today, which obviously is not working but rather contributes to that the girls get low self esteem, do not feel accepted and are forced out of society. One conclusion is that if we and today's politicians listen to the girls' stories, we can together through our professionalism create a meaningful existence in school, a school where girls do not have to be expelled and end up with antisocial friends, leading to abuse or criminal behavior as a result.

AbstraktHansson, Jenny (2016)"Det komplexa samspelet mellan kunskap, lärande och sociala färdigheter" - Sex berättelser om före detta elevers skolgång på ett SkolveckohemSyftet med denna studie är att ur ett specialpedagogiskt perspektiv bidra med kunskap och öka förståelsen för hur före detta elever på ett Skolveckohem med integrerad skola, uppfattade sin skolgång. Syftet är vidare att få elevers egna berättelser om skolans arbetsmetoder och undervisning bidragit till deras eventuellt vidare studier.Metoden är kvalitativa intervjuer med en narrativ ansats där elevers livshistorier har varit i fokus. Sex djupintervjuer genomfördes med elever som har åtminstone tre terminers placering. Studien lutas dels på Vygotskijs sociokulturella teori där kunskap förstås i relation till sociala och kulturella verktyg. Men också på von Wright's tolkning av Mead's teori om hur "Me and I" utvecklas genom interaktion.De sex livshistorierna i studien visar att eleverna inte kunde leva upp till de förväntningar som skolan med dess lagstiftning hade på dem. Respondenternas berättelser visar en uppfattning av att uppleva sig själv som avvikande. Eleverna upplevde lärarens kroppsspråk som negativt, vilket i sin tur påverkade elevernas självkänsla och självbild negativt. Berättelserna visar också att eleverna upplevde ett motstånd mot sig själv, där de inte kunde acceptera sin diagnos. Det komplexa samspelet mellan lärande, kunskap och sociala färdigheter blev uppenbart vid Skolveckohemmet där skolan kom att vara i fokus och studenten fick växa genom kunskap och lärande, men också genom vikten av ett relationellt förhållningssätt. I analysen kan man se att begreppet tid är viktigt där tiden inte statisk och att eleverna utvecklas genom tid och där också individuella vändpunkter varit viktiga. Man kan också se problematik kring när två alltför olika världar möts.Nyckelord: HVB, livshistoria, NPF, relationellt perspektiv, skolveckohem, scaffoldning, självbild, självkänsla, specialundervisning, hemmasittare.
AbstractHansson, Jenny (2016) “The complex interaction between knowledge, learning and social skills”- The stories of six former pupils' experiences of residential care school placementsMaster degree in Special Education Faculty of Education and Society Malmo University The purpose of the study is from an educational perspective contribute with knowledge and increase peoples understanding, how six pupils´ experiences of residential care school placements perceive their schooling. Furthermore the purpose is to get the pupils´ own perception of good methods in the education (teaching situations) at the residential care school placement and see how they have been prepared for further education (studies). The method is qualitative interviews with a narrative approach where pupils´ life stories have been in focus. Six in-depth interviews were conducted with pupils who have at least three terms of placement.The study leans partly on Vygotskijs´s sociocultural theory where human knowledge and ideas are understood in relation to social and cultural tools. Also on von Wright´s interpretation of Mead´s theory on how ”I and me” evolve through interaction.The six life-stories show that the pupils´ was unable to live up to the expectations that the school and the legislation had on them. They point out social pressure as a factor, where the pupils compares themselves with their classmates and considered their self as deviant. Pupils´ experiencing teacher in the regular school body language as negative which affected the pupils´ self-esteem and self-image negatively. The student's experience was that the teacher thought he was a problem. The stories also show that students experience a resistance against theme-self, where they could not accept their diagnosis. The complex relationship between learning, knowledge and social skills became evident at the residential care school placement where the school came to be in focus and the student had to grow through knowledge and learning but also through the importance of relational approach. This led to a future and a sense of growing by successfully.The analysis from a narrative perspective can be seen that the concept of time is important when time is not static and that the students developed through time. It can also see problems around different worlds, such routines, residential or schools that meet.Keywords: HVB, life history, NPF, relational perspective, residential care school placement, scaffolding, self-image, self-esteem, special education, a stay at home pupil.

The aim of this study is to investigate pupils’ experiences of social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial learning in upper secondary school, from a relational Special Needs Educational perspective. How pupils’ in difficulties are affected, and benefit from social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial learning is of particular interest as well as how these approaches can be related to inclusive education. A qualitative method is applied through observations, dialogues and interviews with pupils’ at two different suburban upper secondary schools. The main results show that social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial learning in most cases contribute to an inclusive education. However, all the pupils’ in the study expressed the most important factor for their learning to be the teacher. The empathy and concern shown by the teacher in social entrepreneurship was beneficial for meaningful inclusive education. If the processes of social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial learning are the causes of the so called focal point, in which genuin communication take part, or if it is the teacher who is of decisive importance, or both, is difficult to discern from the results of this study. Analysis of the results hints that pupils’ in particularly difficult circumstances have problems to pass even if the education is given through social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial learning. To help these students the school as an educational system would most likely have to undergo significant changes in order to avoid seeing pupils’ as being stuck in special educational needs but rather as individuals in need of genuin communication and interpersonal relations.
Studien syftar till att undersöka elevers erfarenheter av socialt entreprenörskap och entreprenöriellt lärande i gymnasieskolan, ur ett relationellt specialpedagogiskt perspektiv. Specifikt undersöks hur elever i svårigheter påverkas och hur socialt entreprenörskap och entreprenöriellt lärande kan relateras till inkludering. I studien tillämpas kvalitativ metod genom observationer, samtal och intervjuer av elever på två olika gymnasieskolor, en förortsskola och en förstadsskola. Resultatet visar att socialt entreprenörskap och entreprenöriellt lärande bidrar till inkludering i de flesta fall. Emellertid uttryckte samtliga elever att det viktigaste för deras lärande var läraren. Samtliga elever ansåg att det empatiska förhållningssätt och omtanke läraren i socialt entreprenörskap hade gynnade lärandet. Om det är processerna i socialt entreprenörskap och entreprenöriellt lärande som bidrar till att underlätta förutsättningarna för att utbildningens sk brännpunkt, i vilken genuin mellanmänsklig kommunikation kan uppstå, eller om det är läraren som är avgörande för att detta ska ske eller både och är utifrån den studie som gjorts svårt att avgöra. Analys av resultatet antyder dock att elever i synnerligen svåra omständigheter även har svårt att klara undervisningen då socialt entreprenörskap och entreprenöriellt förhållningssätt tillämpas. För att hjälpa dessa elever skulle skolan som system troligen bl a behöva förändras till en organisation som istället för att se elever i behov av särskilt stöd se elever i behov av genuin kommunikation och mellanmänskliga relationer.