Attention, Retention and Reproduction Behavior of Students with Special Needs through the Lens of Parents, Teachers, and Caregivers: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

This study explored the attention, retention, and reproduction behavior of students with special needs through the perspectives of parents, teachers, and caregivers. Guided by Bandura's Social Learning Theory, the study sought to identify the challenges learners encounter during observational learning and to describe the behavioral developments that emerge through teacher modeling and guided instruction. A qualitative descriptive research design was employed using purposive sampling. Data were gathered through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with a Special Education (SPED) teacher, a parent, and a caregiver of a seven-year-old learner with special needs. Interview transcripts and supporting documents were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes. The findings revealed that learners with special needs commonly experience difficulties related to short attention span, distractibility, memory limitations, sensory sensitivities, and reduced confidence, which impede their ability to observe, retain, and reproduce modeled behaviors independently. Despite these challenges, participants consistently reported positive behavioral improvements when instructional strategies incorporated repeated modeling, visual and verbal cues, step-by-step guidance, task segmentation, immediate feedback, and emotionally supportive learning environments. These approaches enhanced learners' attention, memory, participation, confidence, and independence in completing tasks. The study underscores the importance of collaborative support among teachers, parents, and caregivers in promoting effective observational learning and inclusive educational practices. The findings contribute to Special Education by providing practical evidence for strengthening instructional interventions that address learners' diverse needs. Future research is recommended to validate the proposed framework through quantitative or mixed-methods approaches, develop standardized measurement instruments, and examine the relationships among attention, retention, reproduction behavior, and instructional strategies across broader educational settings.