parenting and a child with down syndrome

Postavljanjem dijagnoze sindroma Down njihovom djetetu, pred roditelje se postavljaju brojni izazovi te se javljaju snažne i često kontradiktorne emocije kao odgovor na novu, nametnutu stvarnost. Nakon toga slijedi razdoblje prilagodbe na novonastalu situaciju, ali ono traje cijeloga života (s mnogobrojnim usponima i padovima). Djeca sa sindromom Down zahtijevaju posebnu njegu i skrb, i čestu pomoć stručnjaka. Osobito su značajni programi rane intervencije i podrška različitih udruga. Razina skrbi koja je potrebna djetetu sa sindromom Down neizbježno utječe na svakodnevnu rutinu roditelja, što također može biti izvor frustracija. Štoviše, u manjem broju slučajeva dolazi do narušavanja odnosa među roditeljima i rastave. Srećom, takvi su slučajevi ipak rjeđi. Uz to, osobe sa sindromom Down rijetko imaju poremećaje ponašanja ili tešku intelektualnu ometenost, te se opisuju kao vrlo tople osobe sposobne za ostvarivanje bliskosti i izražavanje pozitivnih emocija. Dijete koje je tako spremno uzvratiti ljubav i naklonost roditeljima, ipak, može biti jedan od faktora koje roditeljstvo djeteta sa sindromom Down može pretvoriti u vrlo pozitivno životno iskustvo.Following their child’s diagnosis of Down syndrome, parents are faced with numerous challenges and strong, ambivalent and contradictory emotions, as a response to a new, imposed reality. After that initial period, the parents experience an adjustment period, which actually lasts for a lifetime, with many ups and downs. Children with Down syndrome require special care, and frequent help of different professionals. Activities included in early intervention programmes and supports of different associations are particularly important. The level of care that a child with Down syndrome requires inevitably affects daily routines of parents, what can also be a source of frustration. Moreover, in a small number of cases, the parents’ relationship is damaged and may end in divorce. Fortunately, such cases are rare. In addition, people with Down syndrome rarely have behavioural problems or severe intellectual disabilities, and are generally described as very warm individuals capable of forming close relationships and expressing positive emotions. A child who is so willing to return love and affection to parents may be the factor that turns parenthood of a child with Down syndrome turn into a very positive and rewarding life experience