A Qualitative Study Investigating Post-secondary Services for Students with Learning Disabilities at Saudi Universities
[Thesis]
Binbakhit, Nahed Mohammed
Western Michigan University
2020
234
Ed.D.
Western Michigan University
2020
This qualitative study explored the challenges and obstacles confronting students with learning disabilities who receive assistance from support service centers at Saudi Arabia universities. It also addressed the strategies and skills that students used to overcome these challenges and reviewed the recommendations for the further development of support services. The study was conducted in support services centers at two Saudi public universities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh). The participants were five female students with learning disabilities and five female staff members at the support services centers. The study used a semi-structured, face-to-face in-depth interview process to gather information. Participants addressed several challenges confronting students with LD, including: (a) pre-university challenges, (b) academic challenges, and (c) social and emotional challenges. According to the participants, there are numerous supports students with LD received and strategies they used to overcome the challenges that confronted them. These include accommodations and academic support, social and emotional support, strategies and skills, and factors that enhanced the success of students with LD. To improve the services provided through the support services center, participants offered several suggestions, including: (a) awareness, (b) transition and online documentation system, (c) teamwork and diagnostic services, and (d) support sessions, workshops, and vocational training.