SEMI-STRUCTURED GUIDE QUESTIONS TO PARENTS OF SPED CHILDREN

A.

INITIAL PHASE

1. When and how did you find out that your child has special needs? 2. What are the significant behavioral signs youve noticed while observing your child? 3. What is your initial reaction when you found out that your child was diagnosed as a special child?
B.

LEVELLING OFF

1. What is your understanding about the condition of your child? 2. How do you characterize/describe your feeling about parenting a special child? 3. What are your insights about the importance of enrolling special needs children in early intervention programs (special education)?
C.

DEEPENING

1. What type of pressure/stress (physical, emotional, mental, etc.) do you

experience in taking care of your special child? In what way you address these challenges?
2. How do you feel about the disturbing behavior of your child (being aggressive,

destructive, restless, hyperactive, making noise, etc.)?

3. How does your parenting style affects your child temperament and behavior?

4. How does it feel when your child was mistreated by other people in various

ways (bullied, rejected, isolated etc.)?

5. Did you expose your child to life experiences, or did you feel the need to

protect her/him? Why?

6. How does it feel when your child cannot express their needs or feelings? 7. Raising a special child can be challenging. Did you follow your heart in

decision making or did you listen to professional advice?

8. Parenting can be stressful enough but raising a special presents a whole new

set of challenges. How did you stay strong over the years?
9. What is the impact of your child with special needs on family financial well-

being and security?

10. Since your special child requires most of your time and attention what is the

impact of these to your other children and other members of the family?
11. How does having a special child affect your social life? 12. What is the impact of having a child with special needs in your job? 13. A special needs parent often feels that their job of parenting is never over.

How do you plan for the future as you get older and ensure your child will be cared for even in their adult life?
14. What quality/qualities (i.e., tenacity, discipline, time management) do you

think are necessary for parents of a special needs child?

15. What have you learned about raising a child with special needs? 16. How did it change your life? 17. What are the rewards of having a special needs child?

D.

ACTION BASED
1. What are the approaches used to satisfy the demands of the child to prevent or discontinue disturbing behaviors? 2. How do you assist your child in performing his/her daily activities? 3. What are your adjustments in taking care of your special child? 4. What are the emerging roles of other family members in taking care of your special child? 5. How do you achieve the parents flexibility in meeting work and parenting responsibilities? 6. What are your coping strategies in dealing with different problems and stresses you encountered in taking care of your child with special needs? 7. What would you advice to other parents the same experience as you are having?

E.

LINKAGES / COLLABORATION
1. Did you seek professional help of specialist (developmental pediatrician, speech therapist, occupational therapist or child psychiatrist) in taking care of your special child? 2. What are your resources in providing the special needs (therapy, nutrition, medication, etc.) of your child? 3. To whom you communicate your feelings regarding the problems you encounter in taking care of your special child? 4. Are you having conflicts with other people in the community? How do you deal with this?