Leisure time of intellectually disabled children in the opinion of their parents

Abstract

Objective of the study: The study aims at diagnosing the opinions of parents of children with minor and moderate intellectual disabilities on the forms and significance of leisure time behaviour. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in 2017 among the parents of students of the Maria Montessori Special Primary School at the 102nd Special School Complex in Poznań. The author’s own research questionnaire was used, containing questions about forms of spending free time, the amount of free time available and the participation of children in extracurricular classes and out-of-school activities, as perceived by parents. Results: The majority of parent respondents, regardless of the degree of their children’s disability, stated that their children had a lot of free time, at least two hours per day on weekdays and over six hours per day during the weekend. In the perception of most parents, during summer and winter holidays their children have whole days free. The respondents notice both active and passive forms of leisure activities pursued by their sons and daughters. The parents confirmed the participation of their children in numerous extracurricular classes and out-of-school activities. The study revealed that parents, siblings, or other family members were most often partners of leisure for intellectually disabled children. All the  respondents declare that they know what their children are doing in their leisure time and who they spend it with.