O017 Parents’ experiences of having a child with Down Syndrome and sleep difficulties

Abstract Introduction This qualitative study that investigates parents’ experiences of having a child with Down Syndrome (DS) and sleep difficulties is part broader mixed-method entitled Sleep Difficulties in Children Syndrome: An Evaluation Parent/Carer Family Quality Life. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews 26 parents (fathers n = 4 mothers 22), reflexive Thematic Analysis (TA) was operationalised for data analysis. The covered the following key topics: DS diagnosis; timeline their child’s patterns difficulties; implications parental sleep, day-time function, well-being; family dynamics; access to supports. Results Most participants described negative at time diagnosis, including not feeling listened to, receiving inconsistent, insensitive inadequate information and/or treatment. strikingly, no recall specific information. affecting own function dynamics, yet they commonly normalised these experiences. Such normalisation recurring theme across contextualised by accounts resisting prejudiced attitudes towards since diagnosis. Discussion first investigate difficulties. Implications include professional development health care workers focusing on as significant comorbidity children, awareness families’ tendencies normalise when delivering care.