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INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL STRESS ON THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Special needs children are those children which require special attention and specific necessities that other children do not. This status may be declared with the aim of providing benefits and assistance for the child’s well-being and growth. Special needs can also be legally provided, so as to care and train for them particularly in communities. The parent of special needs children may receive incentives such as a Special mediational tax credit or deduction to meet the high costs and efforts associated with child care and wellbeing. (Estes, Munson, Dawson, Koehler, Zhou,  & Abbott, 2009)

The term Special Needs, according to Chalfant, (2005), is used to refer to a variety of conditions and impairments such as chronic and terminal illnesses, physical impairments, and psychiatric issues. This conditions increase the cost of attending   and training children with special needs and also providing the associated assistance and medical attention needed to improve their condition and enhance quality life. The severity of a child’s condition may require extra cost and constant medical attention throughout their live time such as those with permanent life-threatening condition.

A special needs child may require alternative approaches to education that not only accommodate their conditions but also work toward creating ways for them to further their own capacity to learn and develop. The study seeks to appraise the influence of parental stress on the academic achievement of special needs children (Abang, 2000).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The economic condition of the family and the quality of relationship the parents has with the children are extremely essential for the well-being and development of the child. Special need children demands extra care and support. Small and Eastman(1991), as cited in (Alvy, 1987, p. 19), stated the responsibilities of parenting to include  providing basic resources,  caring for the home, protecting children, guiding and supporting children’s physical and psychological development and (e) advocating with the wider community on behalf of the children. However it is necessary for parents to understand that high levels of anxiety will have a negative impact on children and could lead to depression or feelings of isolation which will also affect their academic performances. The problem confronting the study is to appraise the influence of parental stress on the academic achievement of special needs children.

1.3   OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The fundamental objective of the study is to proffer an appraisal of the influence of parental stress on the academic achievement of special needs children; The specific objectives of the study include;

1.  To determine the nature of special needs children.

2. To determine the influence of parental stress on the academic achievement of special needs children.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.  What is the nature of special needs children?

2. What is the influence of parental stress on the academic achievement of special needs children?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study proffers an appraisal of  the influence of parental stress on the academic achievement of special needs children. The study shall therefore serve as veritable source of information to stakeholders to proffer interventions which will aSpecial needress the problem.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study focuses on the appraisal of the influence of parental stress on the academic achievement of special needs children.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors.

1.8   DEFINITION OF TERMS

SPECIAL NEED CHILDREN: Special needs children are those children which require special attention and specific necessities that other children do not. This status may be declared with  the aim of providing  benefits and assistance for the child’s well-being and growth. Special needs can also be legally provided, so as to care and train for them particularly in communities.