Networks of social support of the families with disabled children

Objective: to analyze the changes which occur in the networks of social support for families with disabled children after their birth. Method: this is about a descriptive, cross-sectional study, from quantitative approach. Data was collected by a questionnaire with thirteen questions and analyzed by the SPPS-15. The study was approved by the Committee of Ethics of University Hospital Lauro Wanderley, protocol number 327/09. The sample study was of sixty families of disabled children registered at Associa o de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais/APAE, in Jo o Pessoa/PB city. Results: the importance of large families within the networks of social support was verified before and after the children's births. It was observed a great demand for religious and informative support. It was also observed a lessening of socialization after the birth of disabled children. Lastly it was perceived an outstanding importance of multi-professional support in the treatment of the referred children. Conclusion: results showed the importance of social support for families of disabled children as far as new and future situations are concerned.