This study aimed to explore families' experiences in the inclusion process of children with Down syndrome into mainstream education, so as to get to know the potentials and limitations these clients experience during the transition period from the specialized institution into regular education and, thus, survey care needs with a view to these families' health promotion. A multiple case study with a qualitative approach was carried out. Study participants were 11 mothers and one father of children with Down syndrome, whose children attended a specialized institution and were referred to the mainstream education network in an interior city in state of São Paulo. The results showed the need to monitor the families before, during and after the inclusion itself, so as to support them when searching and choosing the school, adapting the child to the new environment and during the transition between care offered at the specialized institution and other sectors. The goal of the knowledge produced in this study is to make the inclusion process of children with Down syndrome into mainstream education a phase the children and their families experience as positively as possible, feeling prepared and welcomed.
Special Education; Down Syndrome; Family; Inclusion