Research Article | Open Access
Emotional, Behavioral and Cognitive Self-Regulation of Children with Learning Disabilities in Arabic Mainstreamed and Specialized Middle-School Classrooms in Kuwait
Sana Ahmad Al Bustan Suad Al-Thuwaikh Ali Rajab Dana Al Ghareeb
Pages: 132-142
Abstract
This research examines how emotional, behavioral and cognitive self-regulation in
children with learning disabilities is affected by the school environment in Kuwait. A
quantitative design approach was chosen to gather data on emotional, behavioral and
cognitive self-regulation using a bespoke self-regulation Likert scale; 56 students from
grades 6-9 were surveyed from mainstreamed and specialized classrooms in Kuwait.
The analysis showed statistically significant differences in emotional self-regulation;
children with learning disabilities in mainstream classrooms performed lower than
expected compared to children in specialized classroom. Results showed that girls in
specialized classes had lower behavioral self-regulation than the boys. All
mainstreamed children with learning disabilities scored lower across all axis compared
to students in specialized classroom. Children’s self-regulation across all axis declined
in grades 7 and 8 compared to those in grade 6; however, children in specialized
classrooms recovered self-regulation skills in grade 9 compared to mainstreamed
children’s self-regulation which continued to plateau through to grade 9. The study was
influenced by types of services each mainstreamed and specialized class offered.
Furthermore, the researchers emphasize introducing emotional self-regulation training
for classroom teachers and assistants in mainstreamed classrooms. They suggest
specific characteristics specialized classes can implement to recover self-regulation
across all axis
Keywords
Emotional, Behavioral, Cognitive, Self-Regulation, Learning Disability, Kuwait.