Parents’ Perspectives on Social Participation in Outdoor Inclusive Activities of Adolescents with Special Needs

Abstract

Research has shown that adolescents with special needs often have fewer friends, are less accepted, and have a lower self-concept compared to their typical peers. This study sets out to explore the social participation of adolescents with special needs in various outdoor inclusive activities. It was carried out using a case study design to explore the phenomenon in a special needs centre for adolescents with special needs. Data for the study was collected through semi-structured interviews with the parents, checklist, and observation of outdoor inclusive activities as the adolescents with special needs participated socially. Thematic analysis was adopted accordingly to analyse the data. The findings of the study have enabled us to discover effective practices and identify what works in supporting the participation of adolescents with special needs. It also provides insight to parental education specifically to embrace and cater to the social participation of adolescents with special needs in their outdoor inclusive activities which may transform the outlook of parents on adolescents with special needs.