Assessment Of School Refusal In Children With Hearing Loss

Aim: School refusal is term that encompasses many subtypes such as truancy, school phobia, and anxiety-induced absenteeism. In the literature, the effect of school refusal in children with developmental disorders such as autism, intellectual disability, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder has been examined, but school refusal in children with hearing loss has not been examined. This study was conducted to examine risk of school refusal in school-aged children with hearing loss. Methods: The sample of the study consists of 90 secondary and high school students with hearing loss between ages of 10-18 living in Konya. Research data were collected using preliminary information form including demographic information and the “School Refusal Assessment Scale”. The application of study has been conducted for hearing impaired children secondary and high schools, special education and rehabilitation center. Results: As a result of the analysis, when the total scores of school refusal were examined, 33 students had no risk of school refusal (Mean=34.27±4.23), 53 students had mild and moderate risk (Mean=50.94±5.68) and 4 students had high risk (Mean=71.25±8.95) was found. A statistically significant difference was found between the total score averages of school refusal according to education level, special education status, special education type, duration of special education and type of amplification used (p<.05). There was no statistically a significant difference between the mother's education level, father's education level, parental coexistence status and parental income level, and total school refusal scores (p>.05). Conclusions: The results of the study showed that there is risk of school refusal in children with hearing loss. For this reason, it is recommended to detect the problems experienced in children with hearing loss due to school refusal at an early stage and to make appropriate intervention and management in cooperation with a multidisciplinary team including audiologists.