Parents' views of their children who have complex health needs.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored parents' perceptions of their children who have complex health needs and their experience of communication, play, socialising and learning.


METHODS
Fourteen parents participated in this qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit their perceptions of the children's opportunities and experiences.


RESULTS
Parents often felt that their child's efforts to communicate were not valued. Play and socialising could be more challenging for their children than they were for their peers, partly because of their physical needs, but also because of the priority which others placed on these activities and society's provision for children with complex health needs. Parents reported a mixed experience of inclusion in education settings.


CONCLUSIONS
Those who support children who have complex health needs should consider how their communication, play, socialising and education can best be supported and encouraged. Further research to ascertain children's views would be useful.
Hewitt-Taylor
Jaqui
J
Bournemouth University.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology; D008282:Mainstreaming, Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology; D002666:Psychology, Child; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires