Children with disabilities are generally satisfied with their position in life although there are obstacles to overcome – studies the quality of life of children with disabilities 

Linda Björk Ólafsdóttir is an associate professor in the Faculty of Occupational Therapy at the University of Akureyri. Her research focuses on the quality of life and social participation of children and youths in Iceland. 

Investigated the quality of life of children with disabilities 

Linda’s doctoral study is part of a larger project named Quality of Life and Active Participation of Children and Youths: Transformative research. This research is based on a mixed method approach, using critical perspectives to better understand the environmental impact on the children’s quality of life and social participation. The project was launched by mapping the quality of life, social participation, and environment of children with and without disabilities. Two assessment lists were used for this purpose in order to investigate how the children themselves assess their quality of life and how parents assess their children’s quality of life under different circumstances. The information thus gained yielded important insights into activities embarked upon by children with disabilities and how they feel at home, in school and in other social circumstances. During the latter part of the research, interviews were conducted with autistic children and youths. In addition, field visits were made to several children with different handicaps, focusing on what supported or hindered their active participation at home, in school and in their close surroundings. The visits also involved seeking the perspectives of parents, teachers, and other key participants in the children’s lives 

The children are happier than the parents  

The aim was to deepen our understanding of the concepts of quality of life and participation, their interaction and importance for children and youths with disabilities, as well as defining ways to improve support and services for children with disabilities and their families. “Our main conclusion is that children with disabilities are generally satisfied with their station in life although there are problems to contend with. Parents, on the other hand, are not as pleased with their children’s quality of life and identify several factors which reduce health and well-being. Thus, children and parents present divergent perspectives, both of which are important,” Linda says. The overriding message is that if we want to know how the children feel we have to ask them directly. They call for their voices and experiences to be heard. All the main information in this context, with links, is to be found on the website lifsgaedarannsokn.is. 

Studies the social participation of autistic children 

Currently Linda supervises three courses: Assessment and measuring theory and Scientific writing and evidence-based practice, both taught in the Faculty of Occupational Therapy, as well as Professional development, taught in the Faculty of graduate studies. “I am also writing a research article on the social participation of autistic children and youths in schools. The article is based on interviews with 13 children and youths and the conclusions are examined with reference to a theoretical approach by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. I hope to be able to complete this article in the spring, together with other tasks,” Linda says. 

Who is Linda? 

“I live in the district of Mosfellsbær and consequently I work mostly from home. It has sometimes been tough to find the balance between home and work, but, overall, it has all gone surprisingly smoothly. I am also so lucky as to have wonderful colleagues who readily co-operate from all over Iceland, and in fact across the world, although it is also good to be able to meet in the physical world. I have three children; my eldest daughter is almost 10 years old, and the youngest child is a 16 month old boy. So, it is a real privilege to be able to work from home and thus remain close to the family if needed,” Linda says. 

Linda graduated with a BS in occupational therapy from the University of Akureyri and two years later she completed an MS in health sciences from the same university. After completing her studies, Linda worked as a director of specialised teaching at a preschool in Garðabær district and later became an occupational therapist at the Landspítali hospital accident and emergency ward. At the same time, she was also a research assistant under the direction of Snæfríður Þóra Egilson. Eventually, she felt more attracted to the research and she embarked on a doctoral programme in handicap studies at the beginning of 2017. In autumn 2018 Linda took up a part time job as an adjunct in occupational therapy at the University of Akureyri, progressing to a position of assistant professor in 2020.