Exploring the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho

dc.contributor.advisorHoosa, Shanaaz
dc.contributor.authorMahao, Nts’epase
dc.date.accessioned2025-11-27T08:33:19Z
dc.date.available2025-11-27T08:33:19Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2025-11-27T08:17:40Z
dc.description.abstractThis study aimed to explore the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho. The research enquiry was rooted in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory for parental involvement. The study employed a qualitative research design, specifically phenomenology research approach, through face-to-face semi-structured interviews to gain insights and an understanding of parents' experiences regarding their involvement in supporting a child with dyslexia. The interviews were conducted with 12 participants who have lived in Maseru, Lesotho and their child was diagnosed with dyslexia. The diagnosis was carried out by their special education teacher. The sample was selected through purposeful sampling method. To analyse the data, thematic analysis was employed. The findings of this study revealed that parents' involvement in supporting their child is influenced by their lack of knowledge of dyslexia. As a result, their emotional experiences, experiences in seeking a diagnosis from professionals for their child, limited access to resources and information, their experiences with home-based involvement and parents' experiences with mainstream and special education needs (SEN) schools, were shaped by their lack of knowledge of dyslexia. The presence of a child with dyslexia was also noted to have an effect on family dynamics including the parent-child relationship, sibling relationship and parents' expectations. Furthermore, parents were observed to have insufficient support to help them in supporting their child, mainly relying on social support and spiritual support. The study emphasises the need for increased public awareness, policy development and institutional support to enhance parental involvement and improve outcomes for children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho. Recommendations include developing dyslexia-specific interventions, training for educators and healthcare professionals (HPCs), and greater collaboration between parents, school, HCPs and policymakers.
dc.identifier.apacitation (2025). <i>Exploring the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Social Development. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42365en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitation. <i>"Exploring the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Social Development, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42365en_ZA
dc.identifier.citation 2025. Exploring the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Social Development. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42365en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Mahao, Nts’epase AB - This study aimed to explore the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho. The research enquiry was rooted in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory for parental involvement. The study employed a qualitative research design, specifically phenomenology research approach, through face-to-face semi-structured interviews to gain insights and an understanding of parents' experiences regarding their involvement in supporting a child with dyslexia. The interviews were conducted with 12 participants who have lived in Maseru, Lesotho and their child was diagnosed with dyslexia. The diagnosis was carried out by their special education teacher. The sample was selected through purposeful sampling method. To analyse the data, thematic analysis was employed. The findings of this study revealed that parents' involvement in supporting their child is influenced by their lack of knowledge of dyslexia. As a result, their emotional experiences, experiences in seeking a diagnosis from professionals for their child, limited access to resources and information, their experiences with home-based involvement and parents' experiences with mainstream and special education needs (SEN) schools, were shaped by their lack of knowledge of dyslexia. The presence of a child with dyslexia was also noted to have an effect on family dynamics including the parent-child relationship, sibling relationship and parents' expectations. Furthermore, parents were observed to have insufficient support to help them in supporting their child, mainly relying on social support and spiritual support. The study emphasises the need for increased public awareness, policy development and institutional support to enhance parental involvement and improve outcomes for children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho. Recommendations include developing dyslexia-specific interventions, training for educators and healthcare professionals (HPCs), and greater collaboration between parents, school, HCPs and policymakers. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - dyslexia KW - parental involvement KW - experiences KW - support strategies KW - inclusive education LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - Exploring the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho TI - Exploring the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42365 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42365
dc.identifier.vancouvercitation. Exploring the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Social Development, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42365en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Social Development
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanities
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectdyslexia
dc.subjectparental involvement
dc.subjectexperiences
dc.subjectsupport strategies
dc.subjectinclusive education
dc.titleExploring the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMSc
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