Author(s)

Wesley Correa^*, Maria de Fatima Minetto, Rafaeli Cappellaro-Kobren, Josafá Moreira Cunha

School of Education, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.

The study of risk factors that affect the development of children with Down syndrome (DS) has been the main subject of several studies. In the Brazilian context, the development of instruments to identify such risks is still a challenge. The current study had the objective of examining the characteristics of a diagnostic organizer instrument which detects risk factors for development. The study was conducted in a clinic that offers services to children with DS in a Public Hospital in Curitiba, Brazil—and 15 parents of children from 0 - 8 years with DS that use the ambulatory service were interviewed, while the children’s medical records were also consulted. With the use of the Organization Diagnostic for Early Intervention (ODAP (GAT, 2008)), current and past conditions of child development as well as risk factors were evaluated. The research provided an organization of diagnostic, identifying cumulative risks factors for child development with emphasis on biological and environmental factors, and revealed vulnerabilities. The study provided a comprehensive understanding about the influence of the risk factors to development, as well as informing the development of strategies for intervention to enhance protective factors and promote positive child development and higher quality in family and social relationships.

Risk Factors, Child Development, Down Syndrome

Correa, W. , de Fatima Minetto, M. , Cappellaro-Kobren, R. and Moreira Cunha, J. (2015) Risk Factors for Development of Children with Down Syndrome in Brazil. Creative Education, 6, 1285-1293. doi: 10.4236/ce.2015.612128.