Families of Children with Downs Syndrome free essay sample

A study into the effects of poverty on parents with children with Downs Syndrome and other stress factors placed on these families. A paper which identifies the stress placed on families of children with Downs Syndrome. It identifies the stressors specifically identified with having a Downs Syndrome child in contrast to the normal stresses associated with parenting a normal child. The study determines whether the parents of Downs Syndrome children experience greater levels, more frequent or more chronic stress symptoms than parents of normal children. The study examines the effects of poverty on both the parents of normal and Downs Syndrome Children. The study examines the effects that these stresses are likely to have on the family and outcomes of the handicapped child. It focuses on the stresses associated with families of low socio-economic status who have Downs Syndrome children. The author offers suggestions as to the types of programs, which may be helpful to improving the outcomes for both the children and their families. We will write a custom essay sample on Families of Children with Downs Syndrome or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It offers suggestions as to how to help these families gain better access to education and services tailored to their specific needs. Many factors have been shown to affect the ability of the family to adapt to changes and stress, such as the birth of a handicapped child. Research by Flaherty (2000) investigated adjustment in mothers and fathers rearing children with Downs syndrome. He compared families who had a Downs syndrome child by birth with families who had knowingly adopted a child with Downs syndrome. He surmised that the families who adopted children with Downs Syndrome were more likely to be well-adjusted. Actual results, however, demonstrated that birth mothers and fathers were functioning quite similarly to adoptive mothers and fathers on the outcome variables. Overall, birth as well as adoptive families appeared to be adjusting well to the challenges of rearing a child with Down syndrome. (Flaherty, 2000). This study would lead us to believe that stresses are the same whether the situation was a surprise or expected.