Paper Title
Parent Perspectives of Feeding Difficulties of Children with Down Syndrome In Maldives - A Pilot Study

Abstract
Feeding difficulties have been documented in children with different genetic conditions of which one is Down Syndrome (Anil, M. A. et al,2019). Feeding involves an interplay of many factors including sensory, motor, medical, behavioral, and family dynamics. Both professional and caregiver’s perspectives can contribute in planning the intervention. Consideration of caregiver perspectives can increase the caregiver’s willingness and capacity to sustain interventions over time (Estrem et al, 2016); in-depth interviews serve as an important qualitative research tool to explore such perspectives. One must also bear in mind that caregiver perspectives vary across cultures and societies. Thus, the objective of this preliminary investigation was to explore parent perspectives of the feeding difficulties in children with Down Syndrome in the Maldives using in-depth interviews. Method: This qualitative descriptive study explored the parents’ perspectives of feeding and swallowing difficulties in Maldivian children with Down Syndrome (aged 2-9 years) by conduction of in-depth interviews. The recorded interviews were transcribed and coded on the basis of key thoughts and concepts which were collapsed to categories and subsequently to themes. Results: Content analysis, developing codes and themes resulted in parental description of various causes of feeding difficulties, consequences of those causes, various strategies used by parents and the impact of it on the child, parent and the family. The information gathered in the study can aid in developing a family centered intervention plan for a better parent-feeding relationship, to create awareness amongst public and can serve as a base for future research in this area. Keywords - Feeding skills of children with Down Syndrome, Feeding challenges of children with Down Syndrome, Compensatory strategies, Parent perspectives of feeding, Impact of feeding problems