PERAN PENGASUH DALAM MENINGKATKAN KEMANDIRIAN ANAK DOWN SYNDROME

The purpose of this study was to describe the development of Down syndrome children at the Alpha Omega Kabanjahe Welfare Foundation, to describe the role of caregivers in the independence of Down syndrome children at the Kabanjahe Alpha Omega Disability Welfare Foundation and to describe the increased independence of Down syndrome children at the Kabanjahe Alpha Omega Disability Welfare Foundation. This study uses a descriptive type of research with a qualitative approach conducted at the GBKP Alpha Omega Kabanjahe Welfare Foundation for Persons with Disabilities. Data collection techniques are interviews, observations, photos with three informants consisting of one head of the orphanage, and two caregivers. The data obtained were analyzed through triangulation, namely data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing. This study resulted in a description of the development of Down Syndrome children at the Alpha Omega Kabanjahe Welfare Foundation. The results also show that the role of caregivers in increasing the independence of children with Down syndrome at the Alpha Omega Kabanjahe Welfare Foundation is to educate, guide, foster, motivate, set an example, advise, and train children. The results of the study also showed that there was an increase in the independence of children with Down syndrome in terms of self-help and self-care, and in general independence in daily living skills.Keywords: Independence, Down Syndrome, Nanny