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Experiences of parents and stakeholders in caring for, and supporting children with special needs in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua Amo-Adjei
  • Ruth Essuman
  • Anastasiia Nurzhynska
  • Antoine Deliege
  • Geeta Sharma
  • Iddi Iddrisu
  • Charity Nikoi

Abstract

We studied the caring, parenting, and support services for children with special needs in Ghana. Many of the study participants reported re-adjusting their lives in virtually every domain–social, economic, and emotional to deal with and manage the new realities. How parents navigate this space varied considerably from setting to setting. Regardless of individual and interpersonal resources, community, institutional, and policy circumstances seemed to exacerbate notions of disability. In many instances, parents had a low depth of suspicion about the precursors to disabling events in their children. Parents are constantly pursuing health care, including a cure for their children with disabilities. Views about “otherness” were noted, and these tended to undermine medical interpretations/explanations of disability generally, which in turn affected formal education and health-seeking for children. Institutional arrangements exist to encourage parents to invest in their children regardless of their perceived abilities. However, these do not seem to be sufficient, particularly for health and formal education. Programming and policy implications are highlighted.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua Amo-Adjei & Ruth Essuman & Anastasiia Nurzhynska & Antoine Deliege & Geeta Sharma & Iddi Iddrisu & Charity Nikoi, 2023. "Experiences of parents and stakeholders in caring for, and supporting children with special needs in Ghana," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0281502
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281502
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Denham, Aaron R. & Adongo, Philip B. & Freydberg, Nicole & Hodgson, Abraham, 2010. "Chasing spirits: Clarifying the spirit child phenomenon and infanticide in Northern Ghana," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(3), pages 608-615, August.
    2. Mabel Oti-Boadi, 2017. "Exploring the Lived Experiences of Mothers of Children With Intellectual Disability in Ghana," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(4), pages 21582440177, December.
    3. Manou Anselma & Mai Jeanette Maidy Chinapaw & Teatske Maria Altenburg, 2018. "Determinants of Child Health Behaviors in a Disadvantaged Area from a Community Perspective: A Participatory Needs Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, March.
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