Understanding the experiences of mothers caring for children with down syndrome in Saudi Arabia

This study focuses on identifying the qualitatively different ways Saudi Arabian mothers understood caring for a child with Down syndrome in Saudi society. The findings of the research contribute to ongoing development of knowledge about caring for Down syndrome children in Saudi Arabia and highlight support needed for mothers. The methodological framework draws on phenomenography, which is geared toward capturing variation in the ways that people conceive phenomena in their social world. The research outcomes were five categories of description representing experiences of caring of Down syndrome child (being excluded, needing support, being isolated, being disappointed, having difficulty accessing services). The study highlights a need for development of more supportive social attitudes and policy for women and children with Down Syndrome