title: The needs of parents of children with visual impairment studying in mainstream schools in Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study attempted to use a validated and standardised psychometric tool to identify the specific needs of parents of children with visual impairment studying in mainstream schools in Hong Kong. The second aim was to compare their needs with those of parents of mainstream school children without special education needs and parents having children with learning and behavioural problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mainstream schools in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parents of 30 children with visual impairment who were studying in mainstream schools and attended assessment by optometrists at Child Assessment Service between May 2009 and June 2010 were recruited in the study (visual impairment group). Parents of 45 children with learning and behavioural problems recruited from two parent support groups (learning and behavioural problems group), and parents of 233 children without special education needs studying in mainstream schools recruited in a previous validation study on Service Needs Questionnaire (normal group) were used for comparison. Participants were invited to complete a self-administered Service Needs Questionnaire and a questionnaire on demographics of the children and their responding parents. The visual impairment group was asked additional questions about the ability of the child in coping and functioning in academic and recreational activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Needs expressed by parents of the visual impairment group were significantly higher than those of parents of the normal group, and similar to those in the learning and behavioural problems group. Parents of children with visual impairment expressed more needs for future education and school support than resources for dealing with personal and family stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Service needs of children with visual impairment and their families are high, particularly for future education and school support. More study on the various modes of accommodation for children with visual impairment and more collaborative work among different partners working in the field of rehabilitation will foster better service for these children and their families.
authors.affiliation: Child Assessment Service, Department of Health, 2/F, 147L Argyle Street, Kowloon City, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Florence M Y
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Child Assessment Service, Department of Health, 2/F, 147L Argyle Street, Kowloon City, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Janice F K
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.affiliation: Child Assessment Service, Department of Health, 2/F, 147L Argyle Street, Kowloon City, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Mandy M Y
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chui
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008282:Mainstreaming, Education; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Education, special; Mainstreaming (education); Vision disorders