ABSTRACT Special Needs Education has been an important instrument of addressing special difficulties found in learners with special needs. Mentally handicapped learners in particular have benefited a lot with this educational programme. This research has been initiated to investigate the impact special needs education has made in this area of disability. The researcher used survey method and employed questionnaire as a technique to ask relevant questions. The answers provided were in quantitative form. Investigation was mainly centered on finding the difficulties of mentally handicapped learners understanding the approaches used by teachers to address difficulties identified, and assessing the learning outcomes on this educational programme. Teachers of the :five special units were the main respondents and were able to provide the much needed information. There were a total of 8 teachers in the five schools. The findings indicated a substantial impact has been made by special by special needs education on mentally handicapped learners. Various parameters used showed success indices ranging from 40 - 80% success. In conclusion the researcher hails the good 'WOrk done by the unit teachers and the teacher aides in supporting mentally handicapped learners. However the researcher recommends that more teachers be sent to the units to correct the teacher pupil ratio imbalance. Also there is need to put more effort on occupational training and a follow up programmes be set up to ensure those learners who drop out or get integrated into society are well placed.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

DECLARATION n ---------------------

APPROVAL m ----------------------

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS lV -----------------

TABLE OF CONTENTS V - Vll -----------------

LIST OFT ABLES vm --------------------

LIST OF FIGURES ___________________ vm

ABSTRACT IX -----------------------

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background ______________________ 1

1.1 Guiding Theory ____________________ 2-3

1.2 Statement of the problem _________________ 3-4

1.3 Purpose of the study ____________________ 4

1.4 Objectives of the study ___________________ 4

1.5 Research questions ____________________ 5

1.6 Scope of the study ____________________ 5

1. 7 Significance of the study __________________ 6

1.8 Definitions of terms 7-9 -------------------

1.9 List of acronyms ____________________ 10

1.10 Conceptual framework _________________ 11

V

CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.0 Introduction 12 -----------------------

2. l Definition of Mental retardation 12 ----------------

2. 2 Classification of mentally retarded Children -----------12-13

2. 3 Causes of mental retardation 13 ------------------

2 .4 Identification of mentally retarded Children ------------14

2. 5 Assessment 14 ------------------------

2. 6 Educational challenges faced by mentally challenged learners' -----15-16

2.7 Challenges faced by teachers who teach mentally handicapped Children __ 6-17

2.8 Teaching strategies for mentally handicapped learners ________ 17-18

2.9 Success Indices I 8

10. Conclusion 19

CHAPTER3:METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction 20 ------------------------

3 .1 Research Design 20

3 .2 Organization of the study 20

3 .3 Type of data to be collected 20

3 .4 Data Collection 21

3.5 Reliability of Instruments 21

3.6 Sample size 2i

3.7 Sampling technique 21

3.8 Data analysis 22

VI

CHAPTER 4:

DATA PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS

4.0 Introduction 23 ----------------------

4.1.1 Challenges Facing Mentally Handicapped Learners 24-25 -------

4.1.2 Difficulties in Health Care and Independent Living _______ 26-27

4.2 Teaching/fraining Approaches Used to Address Identified Difficulties 28

4.2.1 Teacher/ Teacher aide distribution 28-29 ------------

4.2.2 Mode of Instruction 30-31 ----------------

4.2.3 Other Programmes 32-33 ----------------

4.3 Learning Outcomes __________________ 34-35

CHAPTERS

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0 Introduction 36 ---------------------

5.1 Discussion 36-37 --------------------

5.2 Conclusion 38 ---------------------

5.3 Recommendations 38-39 -----------------

5.4 Future Research Areas 39