Abstract:
The problem of staying socially active without losing the usual way of life with a
“special” child in the family has always been and remains relevant. In our country, the number of
children with Down syndrome is increasing every year. According to preliminary data from the
Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in Kazakhstan for 3 years (2014-2016) there
is an increase in the incidence rate of Down syndrome per 100 thousand children under 14 years
of age by 15%. The incidence rate in 2014 was 11.3% per 100 thousand children under 14 years
old, in 2015 - 11.1% per 100 thousand children under 14 years old, in 2016 - 13.05% per 100
thousand children under 14 years old. In total, in Kazakhstan, according to preliminary data as
of 2017, the number of registered patients diagnosed with Down Syndrome at the age of 0 to 18
years is 3863 persons, of which 707 with a diagnosis established in the first days of life. In most
cases, the organizers and employees of organizations supporting parents and families of children
with disabilities are mothers of “special” children. In this regard, today in Kazakhstan there are
6 organizations to support children with Down syndrome and their parents. These foundations and organizations popularize pro-social attitudes aimed at providing disinterested assistance to mothers with similar problems or to society as a whole. In this theoretical article, we examine various definitions of prosociality, altruism, and empathy of mothers raising children with Down syndrome.
