PENJAGAAN ANAK KURANG UPAYA DI KLANG, SELANGOR: PENGALAMAN HIDUP DAN KRISIS YANG DIALAMI IBU.

This study explored the experiences of mothers of children with various disability in Malaysia. Specifically, the study sought to assess the crises faced by the mothers who raised a child with disability. Mothers are often identified as the primary caregivers of their hildren. Therefore, it is important to understand a mother's perspective in caregiving child with disabilities. Using in-depth interview approach, ten (10) mothers were purposively selected from mothers whose children attended a "special" school which is Pusat Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti (PDK) Klang Selatan. In-depth interviews were conducted to explore their unique, challenging, and special experiences. A set of 12 semi-structured questions were applied for ten informants. The study was conducted from January to June 2020 at PDK Klang Selatan. Data were themmatically analyzed and extracted into five (5) themes including emotional crises, financial crises, health crises, role crises and rejection. The findings of this study demonstrate that being a mother of a child with disability is related to multiple negative experiences or crises. However, the mothers have reacted with positive coping strategies including spirituality, social supports, and hope in nurturing their disabled children. This research gave relevant informantion to improve governmental policies. National Social Policy need to highlight the needs of disabled children and their families. Supportive programs should be conducted more frequently to help parents with disabled children. Related agencies need to identify the need of each families with disabled children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]