Abstract: In this study, communication skills levels of mothers with their disabled children, and therefore their awareness levels on this issue, were examined in the context of child development and social work. The sample of the study consisted of 71 disabled children’s mothers determined by random sampling method from a rehabilitation center in Selçuklu central district of Konya province in 2019. “Mother-Father-Child Communication Assessment Tool (MFCCA)” was used to determine the communication levels of mothers with their children. In the research, it was found that participant mothers always realized their speaking, listening and non-verbal communication skills; they performed their message and empathy skills frequently which are sub-dimensions of communication skills. In addition, the level of communication of the sample group with their disabled children was found to be related only to the mother’s job status among the demographic characteristics of the mothers: It was found that mothers who did not work in a paid job had more ability to speak (p < 0.05), listen (p < 0.05) and empathize (p < 0.05) than the employed mothers. In this context, suggestions have been developed to strengthen the communication of mothers with their disabled children, thereby supporting the positive development of their children.

Key words: mother of disabled child, mother-child communication, communication skills of the mother