The aspirations of parents of children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate aspirations which parents of children with Down Syndrome have for their own children at different points in time, beginning from birth and leading to adulthood. Chapter 1 explores a number of major studies conducted with the purpose of investigating the life of a person with Down Syndrome. Chapter 2 looks into the methodology used in carrying out the research. Chapter 3 analyses parental reactions to the birth of the child with Down Syndrome and the effects of the child's birth on family life. Professional help, aspirations held by parents before and after the child birth, the child characteristics, opportunities given to the child by parents, and parental perceptions about the child's education are also considered. Chapter 4 focuses on parental aspirations about primary schooling while those regarding secondary schooling are investigated in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 investigates parental aspirations about adult education, employment and future-care. Results indicate that parents aspire for inclusion in state, private and church schools. They also aspire for facilities and trained human resources both in the .mainstream and in special schools. Parental aspirations about employment differ according to the age of parents· and offspring with Down Syndrome: aspirations of parents of adults with Down Syndrome are not that high when compared with the aspirations of parents of young children with Down Syndrome. Findings also show that a parental main preoccupation existent from the birth of the child with Down Syndrome, is the offspring's future-care.