The lived experiences of a sibling during the implementation of an applied behaviour analysis intervention program : a case study

Date
2002-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken with the view to explore the lived experiences of a nondisabled sibling while an Applied Behaviour Analysis intervention program was followed with her brother. Her brother has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The parents of these children volunteered to take part in a research program funded by a private individual. The purpose of the project, coordinated by the Department of Educational Psychology and Specialised Education of the University of Stellenbosch, was to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention program over a period of 26 weeks. The question soon arose as to how the non-disabled sibling in the family will experience this intensive intervention in which the family's usual activities would be altered in many ways. A literature review was conducted in order to obtain a perspective of research done in this field. I fulfilled the dual role of researcher and trainee educational psychologist. The ecosystemic framework was chosen as the preferential educational psychological framework with which to approach the study, while the interpretive research paradigm lent itself to interpreting the lived experiences of the sibling. The lived experiences were gathered from questionnaires, interviews, observation and video material. This research report describes a variety of possible experiences the sibling underwent, and the repercussions thereof within the family system. Suggestions were made as to how appropriate support for parents, as well as for non-disabled siblings, could serve to help them reframe these experiences.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is onderneem om die ervaring van 'n nie-gestremde sib tydens die implementering van 'n toegepaste gedragsanalise intervensieprogram met haar broer te ondersoek. Haar broer is gediagnoseer met beide Down-sindroom en Outistiese Spektrum Versteuring. Hierdie kinders se ouers het vrywilliglik aan 'n navorsingsprojek van die Departement Opvoedkundige Sielkunde en Spesialiseringsonderwys aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, deelgeneem. Fondse vir die projek is van 'n privaat persoon ontvang. Die doel van die projek was om die effektiwiteit van die intervensieprogram oor 'n tydperk van 26 weke te evalueer. Die familie se daaglikse aktiwiteite is in 'n groot mate deur die program beïnvloed, en die vraag rondom hoe die nie-gestremde sib die intervensieprogram sal beleef, het ontstaan. 'n Literatuurstudie is onderneem om inligting oor bestaande navorsing in te win. Ek het tydens die projek die rol van beide navorser en opvoedkundige sielkundige in opleiding vervul. Die ekosistemiese raamwerk is bespreek as 'n sinvolle opvoedkundige sielkundige raamwerk, terwyl die interpreterende navorsingsparadigma homself daartoe leen om die persoonlike belewenis van die sib te interpreteer. Die belewenis is ingesamel deur middel van vraelyste, onderhoude, observasie en video materiaal. Hierdie navorsingsverslag beskryf 'n verskeidenheid van die sib se belewenis en wys op die uitwerking hiervan binne die gesinsopset. Voorstelle oor wyses waarop voldoende ondersteuning aan ouers sowel as nie-gestremde sibbe die belewenis positief kon herinterpreteer, word gemaak.
Description
Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
Keywords
Brothers and sisters -- Family relationships, Brothers and sisters -- Psychology, Children with disabilities -- Education, Dissertations -- Education
Citation