Perceptions of typically developing children in India about their siblings with disabilities

In India, people with disabilities often struggle to access various opportunities and resources. Because of the Indian culture around acceptance of disabilities, family members may face social, financial, and emotional difficulties or hardships. Having a child with a disability in the family may lead to strained sibling relationships. Often siblings have little knowledge about disabilities, and may feel ostracized by friends, extended family members, and neighbors. The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes of 12 Indian children regarding their younger siblings with disabilities, including their perceptions about disabilities against the backdrop of societal attitudes and perceptions. Siblings of children with disabilities were interviewed to understand their knowledge about their siblings’ disabilities, to examine their relationships with their siblings, and to assess how the school and society played a role in influencing their perceptions about disabilities. Results from this exploratory study can help parents and other family members understand how disability shapes relationships between children. The findings also provide Indian policy makers and program directors with information that might help them better support families.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Special Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2017

Author dc:creator

• Bhattashali, Ankita

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ostrosky, Michaelene M.
• Mondra-Amaya, LIsa
• Burke, Meghan

• Siblings
• Disabilities
• India
• Sibling relationships

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2017 Ankita Bhattashali

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/97336

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/97336