Differences between Parents Understanding and Those Diagnosed - Article Example

? Differences between parents understanding and those diagnosed The investigated problem The study was conducted to investigate the different views between the victims of AS and the caretakers and the parents. It in depth clarifies the similarities and the differences in views between these two different groups of people (Juanne & Gudrun, 2008). The major question of the research therefore arises from the research problem. Therefore the research question can be formulated as; what are the differences of similarities in opinion between the victims of AS and their caretakers or parents. The victims of Aspergers Syndrome (AS) claim that they are okay with their condition and have no problem at all as far as they are concerned and their problems contributed by the community around them, is this true. The research is to investigate. On the other hand, parents of the AS victims and the caretakers usually accept the medical situation and work out to seek assistance and cure for their children, the victims wit AS argue about this medical and pathological perspective. Is it true that the aspies need medical and pathological assistance? The research questions try to investigate such questions. In determining the research question, it involved the aspergers and their parents or caretakers. Critique the Literature Review The literature review used in the research comprises of the materials from books, journals and articles while the report that follow come from the internet. This makes the literature review have little impact into the authenticity of the document since the materials in the literature review did not feature in the research. Therefore, the literature review needs improvement by using certain quotes from the internet bloggers or by using the internet as the sources of information and materials that had application in carrying out the research (Boyd, 2002). The study sample The study sample was composed of the websites or the blogs, which were written by the people who courageously identified themselves as having AS and the parents or the caretakers of those who have AS. To find or develop the study sample, there were several search terms that were used initially to narrow it down to a final search term ‘’asperger bogs’’ since it had the most number of relevant hits. Different search terms that used initially gave out different number of hits received when different search engines (yahoo and Google). This was in May 30, 2006. On June 1, 2006, following a google search that was conducted on the search term ‘’asperger blogs’’ numerous number of hits, actually 619,000 were found hence leading to the selection of the search term and the search engine for the study (Brownlow & O’Dell, 2002). The selected sample was composed of the first 30 blogs, which written from each perspective. In cases, there were blogs repeated hence forced the researchers to extend the searching to go past 30. The selected blogs underwent careful factoring to determine whether the voice was for the person with the AS or for a parent or a caretaker. A directory found in the website of Canada about autism was factored order to select sufficient number of blogs from the perspective people diagnosed. The researchers also extended the search for the blogs written from the outsider’s perspective by using a directory of blogs about parents/outside perspective. Even though there were 619, 000 hits under the search term, many of the sites were just too short and irrelevant since they lacked the experience of living with AS (Davies, 1996). In the end, 30 blogs were selected from each category based on their relevance for having lived with AS and length. This knowledge was generalized to the computer literate group who also could have access to a computer. Since the sampling process only dealt with the computer literate groups and information found in the internet, the results of the research are most likely to be biased considering that other people with AS and parents or caretakers of them who are not computer literate also exist and should be involved on the research (Dias, 2003). In addition, the sample got from the internet is not authenticating enough since one can easily lie to you once the direct contact is not there. Instrument(s) of the study The major instrument that the study employed was reading from the blogs by the parents and the blogs by the SIAs to compare and show either similarity of differences. The use of this instrument in this study has commended first because from the written information, one is able to get the feeling of the writer and this can tell clearly, what that person feels. It also assumes that there is none around monitoring or that the intended reader does not know the writer and for that matter, can write with confidence, without any fear. The tool however, cannot be depended on so much since the writer could just be joking or telling lies since he or she knows that the reader is no known. Statistical Analysis Techniques The study uses summary method to categorize the data into different groups. It also analyzes data by considering relatedness of information and selective section. Study conclusion and recommendation The study concludes strongly that according to the findings, there is a strong and vibrant pro-Aspie movement, which is in part developing and growing because of the new internet technology. The findings also pointed out that the themes in blogs written by parents and caregivers always emphasize different views written by those with AS. This then relates to the research question, which was in the investigatory of the differences or similarities in views between these two groups. The results of various hits when different search terms were used, shows very well that these sites are significant. The findings also points out to the conflict between the caregivers versions of AS and those of the diagnosed. Therefore, to the recommendations, the results found to be useful to the educators and various helping professionals such as psychiatrics, social workers and other medical providers. This broadens their understanding of what is and what is not considered ‘’problematic’’ in the realm of Aspies and caretakers and from whose point of view. Study benefits and risks The benefits of this study have been sited to bring peace between those with AS and the others in the society and to bring harmony in the divergent views of the parents or caregivers and the AS victims. However, among the study risks are that the AS victims feel degraded by the society around them and even their own parents and caregivers and this may make them lose hope in life. Study strengths and weaknesses One of the strengths of the study brings out the use of internet as a powerful means of support for, and useful, productive information about AS. Weakness however is noted as the research is not based on random samples of people (Entman, 1991). It is only cross-sectional and therefore does not offer the insight of how, why and when changes in notions of AS might or might not occur. Next time a research should be done that uses a random sample of people. The research educators will provide knowledge about AS to the society. References Boyd, B. (2002). Examining the relationship between stress and lack of social support in children with aiutism. Focus on Autism and othe Dissabilities , pp208-215. Brownlow, C., & O’Dell, L. (2002). Ethical issues in research on-line communities. Disability and Society , 685-696. Davies, J. (1996). The role of specialist for families with autistic children. Nrsing Studies , 36 40. Dias, K. (2003). The Ana Sanctuary. Women’s pro-anorexia narratives in cyberspace , 31-45. Entman, R. M. (1991). Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communicatio , 51-58. Juanne, C., & Gudrun, A. (2008). Asperger's Syndrome. Differences between Parents' Understanding and Those Diagnosed , pp85-107. Read More