EXPLORING THE WELL-BEING OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN MALAYSIA: A STUDY AT SEKOLAH KEBANGSAAN PENDIDIKAN KHAS KUANTAN

Abstract

This study investigates the well-being of Malaysian Muslim children with special needs, focusing on various aspects such as social, physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. The research was conducted at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Kuantan in Indera Mahkota 2, involving 24 students with Developmental Disabilities (DD) and Learning Disabilities (LD), aged 8-12, and 20 teachers. The children's well-being was assessed through self-report surveys and teacher evaluations, complemented by direct observations. Methodologically, the study combined quantitative and qualitative approaches, using self-report questionnaires and informal interviews. The sample size comprised 41 teachers and 107 students, with a subset of 30 participants for detailed study. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and independent sample t-tests were employed to analyse the data. The results showed no significant differences in well-being between LD and DD children. However, disparities were observed in self and teacher ratings, particularly in social and physical well-being, with children rating themselves lower. Emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being showed alignment between children's and teachers' perceptions. The study highlights the unique challenges faced by special needs children, including social integration difficulties, emotional stress, and the need for tailored educational strategies. Despite its insights, the study faced limitations, including a small sample size and focus on specific disability categories, which may limit generalizability. Future research should consider larger, more diverse samples and alternative data collection methods. In conclusion, the study underscores the need for comprehensive support for special needs children in Malaysia, encompassing various dimensions of well-being. It calls for the involvement of families, educators, and the broader community in ensuring the holistic development and integration of these children into society..