Abstract:

This study explores the experiences of Israeli mothers raising children with special needs during professional relocation, focusing on their interactions with foreign educational systems and their acceptance of their child's diagnosis. Mothers in this situation face two major challenges: cultural transition and the complexities of raising a child with special needs in an unfamiliar environment. While extensive research exists on parents of children with special needs, there are significant gaps in understanding maternal resolution with the child’s diagnosis, particularly in the context of relocation.

The study examines how mothers perceive and describe their experiences within foreign educational frameworks, with attention to differences between mothers who have reached resolution of their child’s diagnosis and those who have not. It employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative analysis with holistic categorical coding. Data collection methods include semi-structured in-depth interviews and a quantitative assessment tool (Reaction to the Diagnosis Interview, Pianta & Marvin, 1992) to measure maternal resolution. The study includes 20 Israeli mothers of children with special needs who currently live abroad or have returned to Israel within the past five years.

Data is currently undergoing thematic content analysis and categorical coding. Findings are expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by mothers in relocation and provide valuable insights for professionals in special education who support immigrant families. Additionally, the study may inform the development of targeted interventions to assist mothers in adapting to foreign educational systems while raising a child with special needs.

Keywords:

Special education, relocation, motherhood, reaction to diagnosis, cultural transition, international educational systems.