The life-world of Indian parents' with a down's syndrome child
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Date
1996
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Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to examine the life-world of Indian parents' with a Down's syndrome child.
Down's syndrome is the most commonly occurring form of mental retardation that is known to be caused by a genetic defect It is also known as Mongolism because of the Eastern (Mongoloid) slant of the eyes or as Trisomy - 21 because it is caused by the presence of an extra (third) chromosome on the twenty-first pair of chromosomes. Although a Down's syndrome child can result from any pregnancy the incidence thereof increases with the age of the mother - the older the mother the higher the risk. One out of every 640 babies born has Down's syndrome.
The Down's syndrome child's experience of his impairment was described in terms of his relationship with himself, others, objects and ideas, and God. Meaningful and active acceptance of his impairment by the child seems to be possible if parents unconditionally accept the child and share his experiences by rendering sustained and responsible assistance and support.
Parents of Down's syndrome children experience their parenthood in a different way from the parents of normal children for the simple reason that they are parents of children with special needs. Their initial reaction after discovering the child has Down's syndrome is shock and disbelief followed by anger, disappointment, denial and often guilt feelings. In general, parents with disabled children are unable to accept and/or assimilate in a responsible way their unusual experience of parenthood without professional support. Parents need adequate support right from the very birth of a disabled child.
For the purpose of the empirical investigation a self-structured questionnaire was utilized. An analysis was done of the questionnaires completed by the parents of Down's syndrome children in the Durban area. The data thus obtained was processed and interpreted by means of descriptive statistics.
In conclusion, a summary and findings emanating from the literature study, and the descriptive statistics were presented. Based on these findings, the following recommendations were made:
Genetic services of the Department of Health must be made better known and more available to the general public.
From the initial diagnosis of a Down's syndrome child support should be rendered to the parents to meet the special needs brought about by a disabled child.
Existing information concerning the care and education of Down's syndrome children must be utilised in the compiling of counselling programs for parents.
Description
Submitted in fulfilment
of the requirement for the degree
MASTER OF EDUCATION
in the
Department of Educational Psychology
of the
Faculty of Education
at the
University of Zululand, 1996.
Keywords
Down syndrome., Mental retardation, Mongolism