NOV. 09': 10th World Down Syndrome Congress

10th World Down Syndrome Congress
Lifelong living and learning
Dublin, Ireland (19th – 22nd august 2009)

The 10th World Down Syndrome Conference was held last August in Dublin, Ireland.
Attendance was high, with over 2,000 delegates from around the globe, including an
impressively large and active contingent from Australia.
Our own country had scarce representation. Dr. Serés, the medical coordinator of Centre
Mèdic Down (CMD), was there on behalf of Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down.
Like preceding editions, the 10th Congress addressed a variety of social, medical, educational,
and other issues. Both the social events and the scientific sessions were very well organized.
Since it is impossible to summarize all the topics that were covered, we have chosen to publish
some of the abstracts that we felt to be of the greatest interest from a medical perspective.

NOV. 09': Groups for siblings of children with Down syndrome

Cristina Gallart i Valls
Psychologist, Down Medical Centre (CMD) and Therapeutic Care Service
(SAT) at the Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down
Barcelona (Spain)
Correspondence: psicologia@fcsd.org

Abstract

This article is an exploration of accounts given to us by children who have siblings with Down syndrome. At regular get-togethers organised by the FCSD these children are afforded an opportunit to discuss and share their experience of having a brother or sister with a disability.
The article examines the aims and dynamic of these groups and exemplifies the feelings expressed by the children. We shall endeavour to understand and attach meaning to their experiences and emotions by referring to quotes taken from various
sessions.

Keywords. Siblings with Down syndrome. Groups for children. Meeting space. Fraternal relationship. Feelings expressed.