Investigation of the relationship between quality of life of children with special needs on their participation of recreational activities and parental role: Example from Manisa province

The general aim of the study is to examine the relationship between the participation of children with special needs in recreational activities and their quality of life in terms of parental role. Aim of this study is to determine the role of the family in the participation of children with special needs in leisure activities, to examine the effects of participation on the quality of daily life of the child, and to make a situation assessment regarding the barriers of participation in leisure activities The students who they are between 8-18 years old and who they receive education in 10 special education and rehabilitation centers which been in center of Manisa Provience and their families create the working group of this research. As a data collection tool in the study; "Assessment of Participation in Leisure Activities Form" was used to determine activity levels of the children leisure time, and "Family Role Form in Deciding Leisure Activities" was used to determine the role of the family in this subject. The parent form of which developed Children Quality Assessment Scale for 8-18 years old was applied to evaluate life quality. In the analysis of the data obtained from the study results, "t test", ANOVA was applied for Life Quality Scale for Children; and Chi-Square analysis was applied for the Form of Family Role in Deciding Leisure Time Activities. It was found that the quality of life the children and their families who are participated in the researching and their participation in leisure activities were not in expected level when the results of the study were examined. Rehabilitation centers where children educated and the families of children should be made informed in this issue, and they should be directed to recreative activities in same time.