Comparison of perceptions of typically developing Filipino and Taiwanese children towards individuals with mental retardation

• Main Author: Chang, Hsiao-Fen
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2002
• Subjects: Educational Leadership
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/2536
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study compares the perceptions of typically developing children (TDC) from mainstreamed and non-mainstreamed classes in the Philippines and in Taiwan. Specifically, it aims to find out the feelings of TDC towards children with mental retardation (CWMR), the capabilities of the CWMR, the respondents' willingness to be a classmate and to be a friend, and ways on extending help to the CWMR. Two groups of respondents from the Philippines consisted of students from the mainstreamed and non-mainstreamed classes from Bernabe Elementary School and Sta. Ana Elementary School. In Taiwan, respondents came from the mainstreamed and non-mainstreamed classes from Taoyuan Public Tong-men Elementary School and Taoyuan Public Guim-ko Elementary School. A questionnaire composed of two parts which included personal profile and attitudes toward CWMR was devised by the researcher. The interview schedule was considered to be a secondary source of information. Outcomes of the study indicate that TDC describe CWMR according to their observed characteristics. Majority of the students perceive the CWMR as having communication problems, intellectual disability, behavior, social and adaptive problems.Respondents from both groups believe that special children should receive special attention from the teachers. They further believe that CWMR can study in a regular school while a low percentage believe that they should only study in a special school. Respondents moreover think that their teachers should teach them about the nature and characteristics of CWMR. Outcomes of the investigation imply that inclusion is a welcome educational placement alternative both in the Philippines and in Taiwan.