2018 Volume 18 Pages 25-41
The purpose of this study was to clarify, the present availability of after-school activities for children with developmental disabilities, their mothers’ understanding and experiences with after-school day service centers for children with disabilities, and the social circumstances surrounding children with developmental disabilities and families. Interviews with mothers of children who attended regular elementary school classes showed the following results. (1) Children with developmental disabilities used various after-school activities (programs for children with disabilities, tutoring programs, cultural/sports programs, etc.). (2) Mothers who used after-school day service centers viewed them as social “ibasho” (a place to feel comfortable and receive sympathetic attention) for their child. (3) Through the continued used of after-school day service centers, mothers became conscious of a gap between their child’s views and their own intentions, causing them to rethink the appropriate way for their child to spend after-school hours. The results suggest that the mother’s choice of after-school activities was affected by their worries about their children’s future due to the current inadequate support system for people with developmental disabilities.
