ARTICLES

 

The developmental status of street children in Potchefstroom, South Africa

 

 

Annemarie van Jaarsveld^I; Mia Vermaak^II; Cornel van Rooyen^III

^IDip. Occ. UP, M.Occ. UFS. Senior lecturer; Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
^IIB.Occ. UFS. Junior Lecturer; Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
^IIIM. Com. (Mathematical Statistics). Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

Owing to the high rate of school failure among the street children of the Thakaneng Shelter in Potchefstroom, South Africa, a study was conducted to determine the neuro-motor, sensory-motor, and cognitive-perceptual developmental status of these children. A descriptive study, using the standardised Quick Neurological Screening Test, the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration and Motor Co-ordination and the Test of Visual-Perceptual Skills (non-motor) - lower level, was implemented. There were 17 participants in the 6-12 years age group. The findings revealed that sensory-motor and cognitive-perceptual deficits were most dominant, particularly those necessary for school-related tasks and consequently progress at school. The results confirmed the need for an intervention program that would focus on the skills required for school performance.

Key words: Street children, developmental status, school failure, sensory-motor deficits, cognitive-perceptual deficits

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Correspondence:
Ms Annemarie van Jaarsveld
Email address: gnatavj.md@ufs.ac.za