Williams syndrome: daily challenges and positive impact on the family
- Authors:
- SCALLAN Susan, SENIOR Joyce, REILLY Colin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 24(2), March 2011, pp.181-188.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The genetic disorder Williams syndrome causes characteristic facial features, feeding difficulties and a failure to prosper in infancy. To date, however, few studies have explored the parental experiences of raising a child with this genetic syndrome. This study of 14 families, all recruited from the Williams Syndrome Association of Ireland, used qualitative methodologies via semi-structured interviews with parents. Findings indicated a variety of daily challenges faced by parents of a person with Williams syndrome. Parental perceptions relating to the positive impact that a person with Williams syndrome can have on the family were also reported. Overall, many of the findings regarding the daily challenges faced by families with a person with Williams syndrome appear to be similar to the experiences of families who have children with other genetic syndromes, the results suggested that certain challenges may be unique to parents of this group. The authors concluded that this study highlighted the positive aspects of raising a child with a disability.
- Subject terms:
- Williams syndrome, coping behaviour, families;
- Content type:
- research
- Location(s):
- Ireland
- Link:
- Journal home page
- ISSN online:
- 1468-3148
- ISSN print:
- 1360-2322