Dyslexia awareness among carers working with children aged four to eighteen years within Maltese residential homes

Abstract

This study sets out to research and consider the awareness about the subject of Dyslexia, particularly amongst the care workers presently working in children's residential homes across Malta. This descriptive survey gives a clearer view of the actual situation of the awareness amongst the stated care workers in regards to the symptoms of Dyslexia and consequently takes into consideration the recommendations provided accordingly. As proper study etiquette would dictate, this study' s implementation underwent deep planning and preparation. In order to obtain the participants, relative permissions had to be requested and obtained from the respective authorities, mainly the Children's Homes Office. After the required permits where obtained, the researcher responsible for the administration of the study' s questionnaire individually met the participants and distributed copies of the questioner after guaranteeing confidentiality and anonymity to each participant. Great attention was given to the form and layout of the study's questionnaire, especially the questions content. The aim was to obtain the most realistic and accurate results so that proper recommendations would follow. Two open ended questions and fifty-four closed ended multiple choice type questions were presented within the questionnaire. The amount of full-time carers working within children residential homes in Malta adds up to 48 workers. Due to the amount of these figures, no sample population was needed. Questioners were returned by 32 of the full time carers who participated in the study thus the response rate was that of 76%. Quantitative data analysis of the gathered results indicated that the majority of the participants were adequately informed about the general information of Dyslexia and its symptoms. From the 32 participants all accept 2 showed that they were familiar with the term dyslexia and the symptoms that are evident of this specific learning disability. After studying the correct answers of the 54 close ended questions it was established that the average score of correct answers was 54%. In conclusion there is a 'good' general awareness about Dyslexia. However when the subject gets more intensive beyond the commonly mentioned factors of this learning difficulty, misinterpretation and lack of information are most common. Such results would implicate the need of further education amongst care workers in order to achieve a more satisfying informative quota that would safeguard the present and future of our children, and possibly also understand adults who suffer from Dyslexia.