Who should do What to Whom? Occupational Groups' Views on Special Needs.

The main purpose of this study is to contribute knowledge about different employment groups' (early childhood educators, early childhood educators for children with special needs, childcare assistants, teachers for children with special needs, class teachers, thematic teachers and school managers as well as managers of daycare facilities) perception of working with children who need special support at their daycare facility and school (förskola and förskoleklass). The focus of the study is primarily on two employment groups, i.e. early childhood educators for children with special needs as well as managers of daycare facilities and schools.

Results of the study show that different employment groups have the same, but also different, perceptions of why children at daycare facility/school need special help, and how the work with these children should be carried out. For example, 80-100% of all groups think that early childhood educators for children with special needs should be placed at daycare facilities/schools, whereas there are more varied perceptions of whether early childhood educators for children with special needs should be responsible for developing schools in this context and for advising other staff groups.

Results of the study also show that the majority of respondents in all employment groups think that the children's individual weaknesses are a general reason that children need special help at daycare facilities and at school. This and the usual perception that help should be given individually and with separate solutions set limits for making work at daycare facilities and schools more inclusive.

The study is divided into four separate studies, and only the first three are relevant for children at daycare facilities. All three studies are based on questionnaire surveys. The main study was carried out in one Swedish municipality (studies 1, 2 and 3) and in 262 Swedish municipalities (study 3).

The first sub-study examines how early childhood educators and childcare assistants view children with special needs in daycare facilities and schools as well as the role of early childhood educators for children with special needs when they work with such children.

The second study explores how managers of daycare facilities and schools consider that daycare facilities/schools can help children with special needs.

The third study describes different employment groups' perception of the work and professionalism of early childhood educators for children with special needs. Data from a municipality was analysed in relation to the following employment groups: early childhood educators, early childhood educators for children with special needs, childcare assistants, teachers for children with special needs, class teachers, thematic teachers and managers of daycare facilities and schools.

The study also contains results from a questionnaire filled in by the supreme administration within daycare facilities and schools in 262 municipalities.

Lindqvist, G. (2013). Who should do What to Whom? Occupational Groups' Views on Special Needs. Ph.d.-afhandling. Jönköping University, Jönköping.