Graduation Year

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Ed.D.

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Degree Granting Department

Special Education

Major Professor

Ann Cranston- Gingras, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Brenda Walker, Ph.D., J.D.

Committee Member

Jennifer Jacobs, Ph.D.

Committee Member

David Lamb , Ph.D.

Keywords

Social Life, Early childhood, Family, Saudi Culture, Special education

Abstract

Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that seeks to provide and develop services for children with disabilities and their families. As times have progressed, regulations and laws have placed an emphasis on providing suitable and better services for children with disabilities and their families. However, a gap exists in the literature regarding the overall experiences of Saudi Arabian mothers of children with disabilities in the early childhood years from birth to age ten (Al Otaibi & Al Sartawi, 2009; Alazemi, 2010). This study explored the experiences of Saudi Arabian mothers of children with disabilities. A qualitative interview approach, utilizing in-depth interviews, was used in order to explore the experiences of five Saudi Arabian mothers of children with disability with the provided services, the social support systems for their children with disabilities, the effect of religion on their understandings of disability, and the effects of their child’s disability on their lives in Jazan city. Five themes emerged from the interview data, which offered insights into Saudi mothers’ experiences including : (1) Discovery and Diagnosis (2) Education Enrollment Challenges, (3) Un-met Needs, (4) Culture and Religion (5) Isolation and Psychological Impact. Findings of the study and aspects related to Saudi cultural beliefs of children’s disability and diagnosis are discussed in detail.

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