Analysis of the Challenges Faced by Children with Special Needs Affected by the Earthquake Based on Parents' Views

Öz

An earthquake is a natural disaster that occurs unexpectedly and profoundly affects individuals' lives with its destructive impacts. This phenomenon, which has psychological, social, economic, and environmental dimensions, can result in traumatic consequences for all individuals; however, it creates a more complex and challenging process particularly for children with special needs. Children with special needs require a high level of routine and a structured environment in their daily lives, and sudden changes in their living conditions can negatively affect them. Overcoming these impacts often requires more support compared to other individuals. The aim of this study is to identify the problems experienced by children with special needs affected by earthquakes based on their parents' statements and to examine in depth the effects of the earthquake on their lives. The study was conducted using a qualitative research design based on the phenomenological approach. Fourteen parents who had experienced an earthquake and had a child with special needs participated in the study. Data were collected through a semi-structured "Parent Interview Form" and analysed using content analysis. Based on the findings, it was seen that children with special needs faced social, educational, psychological and physical difficulties in the pre-earthquake preparation, earthquake management and post-earthquake recovery processes.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Earthquake
• Child with special needs
• Parents

Depremden Etkilenen Özel Gereksinimli Çocukların Karşılaştıkları Sorunların Ebeveynlerin Görüşlerine Göre İncelenmesi

Öz

Deprem, beklenmedik bir anda meydana gelen ve yıkıcı etkileriyle bireylerin yaşamlarını derinden etkileyen doğal afetlerden biridir. Psikolojik, sosyal, ekonomik ve çevresel birçok boyutu olan bu olay, her birey için travmatik sonuçlar doğurabilmekte ancak özellikle özel gereksinimli çocuklar açısından daha karmaşık ve zorlayıcı bir süreç oluşturmaktadır. Özel gereksinimli çocuklar, günlük yaşamlarında rutinlere ve düzenli bir çevreye yüksek düzeyde ihtiyaç duymakta; yaşantılarındaki ani değişiklikler onları olumsuz yönde etkilemektedir. Bu etkilerin üstesinden gelmeleri diğer bireylere göre daha fazla destek gerektirebilmektedir. Bu araştırmanın amacı, depremden etkilenen özel gereksinimli çocukların yaşadıkları sorunları, ebeveynlerinin ifadeleri doğrultusunda tespit etmek ve depremin bu çocukların yaşamlarına olan etkilerini derinlemesine incelemektir. Çalışma, fenomenolojik yaklaşıma dayalı nitel araştırma deseniyle yürütülmüştür. Araştırmaya, deprem deneyimi yaşamış ve özel gereksinimli bir çocuğa sahip olan 14 ebeveyn katılmıştır. Veriler, yarı yapılandırılmış “Ebeveyn Görüşme Formu” aracılığıyla toplanmış ve içerik analizi yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgulara göre özel gereksinimli çocukların deprem öncesi hazırlık, deprem anı yönetimi ve deprem sonrası iyileşme süreçlerinde sosyal, eğitsel, psikolojik ve fiziksel zorluklarla karşı karşıya kaldığı görülmüştür.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Deprem
• Özel gereksinimli çocuk
• Ebeveyn

Kaynakça

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