Down syndrome
Today, with early intervention programs and
medical advances, the possibilities for individuals
with Down syndrome are almost limitless.
Like all people, those with Down syndrome
have a variety of talents and abilities.
And, like their siblings, many people with
Down syndrome graduate from high school,
attend college, hold meaningful jobs, and may
learn to drive or get married. All bring unique
qualities into the world.
With more and more people with Down syndrome
included in schools, places of worship, workplaces
and even television shows, many Americans now
are familiar with this fairly common chromosome
variation. However, while many people know
of Down syndrome, fewer know much about it.
This brochure provides an introductory overview
about Down syndrome.
More detailed information is available at
www.ndsccenter.org or the information line
at 1-800-232-6372 (NDSC).
medical advances, the possibilities for individuals
with Down syndrome are almost limitless.
Like all people, those with Down syndrome
have a variety of talents and abilities.
And, like their siblings, many people with
Down syndrome graduate from high school,
attend college, hold meaningful jobs, and may
learn to drive or get married. All bring unique
qualities into the world.
With more and more people with Down syndrome
included in schools, places of worship, workplaces
and even television shows, many Americans now
are familiar with this fairly common chromosome
variation. However, while many people know
of Down syndrome, fewer know much about it.
This brochure provides an introductory overview
about Down syndrome.
More detailed information is available at
www.ndsccenter.org or the information line
at 1-800-232-6372 (NDSC).
FACTS ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME
Down syndrome is a chromosome variation
with no known cause.
with no known cause.
- It is not related to race, nationality,
- religion or socio-economic status.
- In the United States, approximately one
- in every 800 – 1,000 children is born with
- Down syndrome.
- Between 250,000 and 350,000 families
- in the United States are affected by Down
- syndrome.
- About 80 percent of babies with Down
- syndrome are born to women under
- age 35.
- People with Down syndrome widely vary
- in mental abilities, physical development
- and behavior.
- Individuals with Down syndrome benefit
- from loving homes, early intervention,
- education, appropriate medical care and
- positive public attitudes.
- In adulthood, many people with Down
- syndrome hold jobs, live independently and
- enjoy community life, just like everyone else.
HEALTH
Newborns with Down syndrome should have
a careful medical evaluation to rule out or
identify conditions that may accompany
the syndrome.
There is a wide range of health conditions
associated with Down syndrome. Some people
with Down syndrome have many serious
medical needs and some have few. The most
common, heart anomalies, affects approximately
40 to 45 percent of children with Down
syndrome. Other medical concerns include
gastrointestinal abnormalities, thyroid disorders
and difficulties with hearing or vision.With
good preventative medical care including
immunizations and the recommended screening
procedures, people with Down syndrome are
living longer, healthier lives than ever before..
a careful medical evaluation to rule out or
identify conditions that may accompany
the syndrome.
There is a wide range of health conditions
associated with Down syndrome. Some people
with Down syndrome have many serious
medical needs and some have few. The most
common, heart anomalies, affects approximately
40 to 45 percent of children with Down
syndrome. Other medical concerns include
gastrointestinal abnormalities, thyroid disorders
and difficulties with hearing or vision.With
good preventative medical care including
immunizations and the recommended screening
procedures, people with Down syndrome are
living longer, healthier lives than ever before..
CHROMOSOME VARIATION
Ninety-five percent of people with Down
syndrome have an extra #21 chromosome
in every cell of their body. This is known
as trisomy 21.
Three to four percent have an additional
#21 chromosome attached to another
chromosome. This is called translocation
Down syndrome. In this case, a parent may
be a carrier of a balanced translocation.
About one percent of people with Down
syndrome have an extra #21 chromosome
in some cells, but not in others. This is
called mosaic Down syndrome.
syndrome have an extra #21 chromosome
in every cell of their body. This is known
as trisomy 21.
Three to four percent have an additional
#21 chromosome attached to another
chromosome. This is called translocation
Down syndrome. In this case, a parent may
be a carrier of a balanced translocation.
About one percent of people with Down
syndrome have an extra #21 chromosome
in some cells, but not in others. This is
called mosaic Down syndrome.
DEVELOPMENTAL ASPECTS
Children with Down syndrome are more
like other children than they are different.
During the first few months of life, a child
with Down syndrome behaves like most other
infants and generally needs the same care,
attention and love.
Children with Down syndrome usually
are smaller than other children.
Language, motor and intellectual
development are generally delayed
in children with Down syndrome.
Most people with Down syndrome experience
some degree of cognitive delay, though
there is a wide spectrum of mental abilities,
developmental progress and behavior in
children with Down syndrome.
like other children than they are different.
During the first few months of life, a child
with Down syndrome behaves like most other
infants and generally needs the same care,
attention and love.
Children with Down syndrome usually
are smaller than other children.
Language, motor and intellectual
development are generally delayed
in children with Down syndrome.
Most people with Down syndrome experience
some degree of cognitive delay, though
there is a wide spectrum of mental abilities,
developmental progress and behavior in
children with Down syndrome.
Research shows that the development of
a child with Down syndrome is positively
influenced by a caring and enriching home
environment, early intervention and improved
educational efforts. In most cases, full inclusion
in an educational and social community serves
the needs of a child with Down syndrome in
the most positive way.
a child with Down syndrome is positively
influenced by a caring and enriching home
environment, early intervention and improved
educational efforts. In most cases, full inclusion
in an educational and social community serves
the needs of a child with Down syndrome in
the most positive way.
EARLY INTERVENTION AND PRESCHOOL
Early intervention is provided to children
with disabilities and their parents to facilitate
learning development. These services should
begin soon after birth.
Just as early intervention programs foster the
development of a child with Down syndrome,
preschools, both private and public, play an
important role in a young child’s life. Exploring
the environment beyond the home enables the
child to successfully participate in a broader
world and continue to grow in self-awareness.
with disabilities and their parents to facilitate
learning development. These services should
begin soon after birth.
Just as early intervention programs foster the
development of a child with Down syndrome,
preschools, both private and public, play an
important role in a young child’s life. Exploring
the environment beyond the home enables the
child to successfully participate in a broader
world and continue to grow in self-awareness.
ELEMENTARY AND
MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS
MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS
In addition to a fundamental education,
continued school experiences assist the child
in feeling a personal identity, self-respect
and self-confidence. Inclusion in regular
classrooms provides an opportunity for
children to engage in sharing relationships
with others and develop academic skills.
Because of the federal Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every child
with Down syndrome, as any other child with
differences, is guaranteed the right to a free,
appropriate education in the least restrictive
environment. All public school systems must
comply with the law. Least restrictive environment
is most often your neighborhood school’s
general education classroom.
continued school experiences assist the child
in feeling a personal identity, self-respect
and self-confidence. Inclusion in regular
classrooms provides an opportunity for
children to engage in sharing relationships
with others and develop academic skills.
Because of the federal Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every child
with Down syndrome, as any other child with
differences, is guaranteed the right to a free,
appropriate education in the least restrictive
environment. All public school systems must
comply with the law. Least restrictive environment
is most often your neighborhood school’s
general education classroom.
HIGH SCHOOL
As is true for all high school students, teens
with Down syndrome enjoy many aspects
of the high school experience. These often
include assisting in student government and
athletics, participating in theater productions
and attending campus clubs, sporting events,
dances and special events – like prom. Many
high school students with Down syndrome
graduate with full diplomas.
with Down syndrome enjoy many aspects
of the high school experience. These often
include assisting in student government and
athletics, participating in theater productions
and attending campus clubs, sporting events,
dances and special events – like prom. Many
high school students with Down syndrome
graduate with full diplomas.
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
A variety of college experiences ranging from
junior colleges to settings where students live
on campus are now available to people with
Down syndrome.
The length of time educational services are
provided for students with special needs varies
by state. These services occur within schools or
as part of a transition program independent
of the school environment.
junior colleges to settings where students live
on campus are now available to people with
Down syndrome.
The length of time educational services are
provided for students with special needs varies
by state. These services occur within schools or
as part of a transition program independent
of the school environment.
WORK
Work opportunities for individuals with
Down syndrome range from supported
employment to independent employment.
In many states, services help support people
with Down syndrome as they enter the work
world. A supported employment service
provider assists people with Down syndrome
as they get to know their job.
People with Down syndrome have proven to be
excellent employees and assets in their places
of work. Increasingly, employers find that
directly hiring people with Down syndrome,
without additional support, also is beneficial.
Down syndrome range from supported
employment to independent employment.
In many states, services help support people
with Down syndrome as they enter the work
world. A supported employment service
provider assists people with Down syndrome
as they get to know their job.
People with Down syndrome have proven to be
excellent employees and assets in their places
of work. Increasingly, employers find that
directly hiring people with Down syndrome,
without additional support, also is beneficial.
ADULT LIFE
People with Down syndrome enjoy living
settings as varied as the rest of the world.
People with Down syndrome live alone or with
a spouse, with a roommate or family members,
in creatively supported settings or in more
traditional supported settings.
People with Down syndrome enjoy living in
communities with transportation, entertainment,
shopping and dining options and places of
worship.
settings as varied as the rest of the world.
People with Down syndrome live alone or with
a spouse, with a roommate or family members,
in creatively supported settings or in more
traditional supported settings.
People with Down syndrome enjoy living in
communities with transportation, entertainment,
shopping and dining options and places of
worship.
People with Down syndrome vote, pay taxes
and volunteer in places such as fire departments,
offices, hospitals, schools and churches.
People with Down syndrome are accomplished
writers, musicians, photographers and poets.
When people with Down syndrome are given
greater opportunities, their achievements grow
correspondingly.
With proper support, people with Down
syndrome thrive from birth through adulthood
and give back far more than they receive.
Undoubtedly, people with Down syndrome
enhance our world.
and volunteer in places such as fire departments,
offices, hospitals, schools and churches.
People with Down syndrome are accomplished
writers, musicians, photographers and poets.
When people with Down syndrome are given
greater opportunities, their achievements grow
correspondingly.
With proper support, people with Down
syndrome thrive from birth through adulthood
and give back far more than they receive.
Undoubtedly, people with Down syndrome
enhance our world.
reference
published by
the National Down Syndrome
Congress (NDSC).
The NDSC provides information,
advocacy and support concerning
all aspects of life for individuals
with Down syndrome.
The NDSC’s vision is a world
with equal rights and opportunities
for people with Down syndrome
the National Down Syndrome
Congress (NDSC).
The NDSC provides information,
advocacy and support concerning
all aspects of life for individuals
with Down syndrome.
The NDSC’s vision is a world
with equal rights and opportunities
for people with Down syndrome
