The Social Competencies of People with Down Syndrome

Socijalno razumijevanje, empatija i socijalne interaktivne vještine su snaga za djecu i odrasle osobe s Down sindromom koja se može graditi tijekom cijeloga života kako bi se poboljšala njihova socijalna uključenost i kvaliteta života. Sva djeca i osobe s Down sindromom su individualci te se široko razlikuju u svojim socijalnim vještinama, komunikacijskim sposobnosti i razumijevanju. Cilj rada je nadopuniti spoznaje o osobitosti socijalne kompetentnosti i socijalnih vještina djece, adolescenata i odraslih koji imaju Down sindrom te mogućnosti unapređivanja socijalnih usluga u zajednici za roditelje djece s Down sindromom. Cilj je realiziran proučavanjem i analizom dostupne literature na hrvatskom i engleskom jeziku i prikazom odgovora 6 majki osoba s Down sindromom na pitanja o njihovim iskustvima.Social understanding, empathy and social interactive skills are strength (power) for children and adults with Down syndrome which can be build throughout their lives in order to enhance their social inclusion and quality of life. All children and people with Down syndrome are individuals and differ widely in their social skills, communication skills and understanding. The aim of this study is to complement the knowledge about peculiarities of social competence and social skills of children, adolescents and adults with Down syndrome and possibility to improve social services for parents of children with Down syndrome in the community. The goal was realized by studying and analyzing the available literature in Croatian and English language and from the answers given by 6 mothers of people with Down syndrome on questions about their experiences