The present study aimed to investigate the stress and marital adjustment in 19 couples with a child with Down syndrome. The children were between four and ten years, 11 males and 8 females. We used the Family Characteristics Questionnaire, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale in its format translated into Portuguese of Brazil (Dyadic Adjustment Scale) and ISSL for adults. Mothers are more affected by stress (n = 11) than fathers (n = 7). All mothers perceive their marital relationship as adjusted and only two fathers perceive as inadequate. No significant associations were found between scores of DAS, sex and age of the parents, and the couple's time together.