The Case study of the families that have children with down syndrome

ABSTRACT THE CASE STUDY OF THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME Hatice YILDIRIM SARI This is a qualitative research aiming at detenruning the effects of having a child with Down Syndrome on the other members of the family, and the differences and similarities between the life of the families that have children with Down Syndrome at different ages. This research has done on the families that have children with Down Syndrome and trained at The Training and Rehabilitation Centre of The Association for Protection, Improving and Solidarity of the Patients with Down Syndrome (DOSEYAD-DER). Three families are selected from each of the age group of children with Down Syndrome; 1-3, 4-6, 7-12 and 13-18, as the sampling group. "Observation" and "interviews" are chosen as the methods of data collection. The method of "observation without-participation" and the "interviews with the standardized open-ended question form" are used at the research. Face to face interviews are done with the mothers and with the healthy children aged 7 and over, at home and are recorded. The data related to these observation and interviews are evaluated according to the descriptive analysis method. The data taken at the interviews with the mothers are analysed in separate dimensions as social, physical, economical and emotional. The data taken at the interviews with the sisters and the brothers of the children with Down Syndrome are also separately evaluated. All of the mothers in the sampling group are observed as interested in their children with Down Syndrome. In conclusion, it is determined that the mothers have intensive affection to, have strong ties in between, are more tender and tolerant to their children with Down Syndrome in comparison to their healthy children. The mothers have expressed that they face social and economical difficulties, the relation within the family is effected, and the healthy children are negatively effected from their sisters and brothers with Down Syndrome. They have stated that they also have difficulties in self care, in housework, in care of their children with Down Syndrome, and are worried in the existence of these children in future, the support (aid) system is found to be insufficient as well. Key Words : The family having a child with Down Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Mental retardation, Handicapped children, Family and nursing.