What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome (DS), also called Trisomy 21, is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, both mentally and physically. It affects about 1 in every 800 babies born in the United States.

The physical features and medical problems associated with Down syndrome can vary widely from child to child. While some kids with Down Syndrome need a lot of medical attention, others lead healthy lives.

Names

Down syndrome is also known as Trisomy 21. In years gone by, it was also known as Mongolism, although that term is no longer used.

It has also been called "Up syndrome" by some people, because children with Down syndrome tend to be happy a lot.

Boys or Girls?

Down syndrome is slightly more common among males. Studies have shown about 106 to 125 boys for every 100 girls have Down Syndrome.

Researchers have not been able to determine why males are more prone to being born with Down Syndrome.

Age of Onset & Risk Factors

Down Syndrome is congenital-that is, it is present at birth and can even be detected while the child is still in the womb through the use of testing. Two types of prenatal tests are used to detect Down syndrome in a fetus: screening tests and diagnostic tests. Screening tests estimate the risk that a fetus has DS; diagnostic tests can tell whether the fetus actually has the condition. Diagnostic tests are about 99% accurate in detecting Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. However, because they're performed inside the uterus, they are associated with a risk of miscarriage and other complications.

Although no one knows for sure why DS occurs and there's no way to prevent the chromosomal error that causes it, scientists do know that women age 35 and older have a significantly higher risk of having a child with the condition.
*At age 30 a woman has about a 1 in 1,000 chance of conceiving a child with DS.
*At age 35 those odds increase to about 1 in 400
*By 40 the risk rises to about 1 in 100

Manifestations...Signs and Symptoms

Physical manifestations:
-A flat facial profile
-An upward slant to the eye
-A short neck
-Abnormally shaped ears
-White spots on the iris of the eye
-A single, deep transverse crease on the palm of the hand
-Smaller than average size
-Exaggerated space between the first and second toe
-Poor muscle tone (called hypotonia)
-Broad feet with short toes
-Learning disabilities.

Medical manifestations:
-Thyroid problems
-Hearing problems
-Congenital heart disease
-Eye problems
-Seizure disorders
-Bone, muscle, nerve, or joint problems
-Leukemia and other cancers
-Immune system problems
-Developmental delay
-Mental retardation

Treatments

Some of the medical concerns see in children with Down Syndrome include:
heart defects, thyroid, muscle, joint, vision and hearing problems

Medications are available for thyroid conditions.

Medical specialists know as cardiologist are available if the child has heart issues. The hearing and vision problems seen in children with Down syndrome are no different from those seen in other children. Hearing problems are evaluated by an audiologist and children with vision problems will see an optometrist.

Early Intervention programs are extremely useful. Children with Down syndrome are almost always referred to early intervention programs shortly after birth. Early intervention is a program of therapies, exercises and activities designed to specifically help children with Down syndrome.

Physical and Speech Therapy is suggested to help improve motor skills and articulation.Children with Down syndrome often have small mouths and slightly enlarged tongues which makes articulating difficult and speech hard to understand.

School Setting

According to down-syndrome.org:

-Inclusion is beneficial, but schools should include all pupils with learning disabilities, to provide opportunities for friendships and learning with more able peers, peers of similar ability and peers with different disabilities.

-Training about inclusion should be provided for teachers and all school staff.

-Schools should be supported by professionals who have some knowledge about and are interested to continue to learn about the cognitive development, learning and educational needs of pupils with Down syndrome.

-A high level of additional classroom assistance is essential for maximum academic progress

Researchers continue to investigate the effects of various school settings for children with Down Syndrome. One key fact that most researchers agree on is the importance of early intervention programs and academic expectations in school.

Educational Practices/Accommodations/Modifications

Children with Down syndrome of all ages are usually able to learn more effectively from what they can see than from what they hear. Therefore, children will understand and remember how to say words and sentences earlier if they learn to read from a young age. (www.down-syndrome.org)

The benefits of teaching reading to teach talking
1)Children with Down syndrome have difficulty in learning their first language from listening
2)They find learning visually easier than learning from listening
3)Printed words seem to be easier for them to remember than spoken words
4)Print can be used from as early as two years of age to support language learning
5)Many children with Down syndrome can begin to learn to read from this early age and are able to remember printed words with ease
6)All language targets can be taught with the aid of written material, even to children who are not able to remember the words and read independently
7)Reading activities, at home and in the classroom, teach new vocabulary and grammar.

www.time4learning.com

Children with Down syndrome often require a multisensory learning experience, using as many channels of input as possible and involving repetition with expansion and reinforcement of previously learned skills.

A computer based curriculum may be part of the educational answer for children with Down syndrome. Research has shown that because of short-term auditory memory deficits, language supported by visuals and/or symbolic movements do help children with Down syndrome remember.

We're More Alike Than Different