According to the Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders and Birth Defects, “Down syndrome is a chromosome abnormality caused by the presence of a third copy of chromosome 21. Characteristic facial features, in addition to epicanthal folds, include eyes slanted upward away from the nose, possibly with a speckling at the periphery of the iris, and a large tongue that often protrudes from an open mouth, making normal speech difficult” (Wynbrandt and Ludman 102-103). When I was four years old, my little brother, Cole, was born with Down syndrome. Originally, it was very hard for us to cope with him being “different” but thanks to many various organizations, we have come to understand that he isn’t actually all that different. One organization that really stood out was the National Down Syndrome Society. They offer various support groups in the community to help cope with the obviously emotionally jarring situation. The NDSS is definitely a leadership organization, and it has many leadership qualities, including resourcefulness, respectfulness, and tolerance. First and foremost, the NDSS is...
Having Down Syndrome is a Horizontal identity. Most Americans view people with Down’s to be disabled and do not thing much past that. But, many people with Down’s see this simply as a part of who they are, just as much as the color of their eyes. To them, it is not a disability, but just a fact of life. Many outsiders do not understand this, which is why the Down’s community is so important. The Down’s community provides those with Down’s acceptance to their identity. While the rest of society rejects and pities them, within their community they can relate with others and be treated equally. Unlike with vertical identities where the parents are automatically insiders, parents must choose to whether or not to support their children’s horizontal identities. Some parents choose not to accept Down’s before the child is born and terminate the pregnancy while others do their best to make sure their child is comfortable in the world. Again, in more recent years, there are movements for society to be more educated and inclusive for those with Down Syndrome, but there is still a long way to go.
Down syndrome is a disorder that comes with some defects, such as in the face, heart, sight, and hearing, and other health related problems. It also is the most common genetic defect, affecting many babies. Down syndrome is caused when the chromosomes are being divided during meiosis the cell keeps both copies of chromosome #21, which means the person with Down syndrome has an extra copy in every cell in their body. This is a sad genetic disorder that can change a person's life. Even though it is a devastating gene mutation, the people with Down syndrome are some of the most loving of all people.
Van Riper, Marcia. ?Living with Down Syndrome: The Family Experience.? Down Syndrome Quarterly. Volume 4, Number 1 March 2005. http://www.denison.edu/dsq/vanriper.shtml
Children with Down syndrome are normally smaller, and their physical and mental improvements are slower compared to children who are unaffected.Some of the physical features in children have flattening of the back of the head, slanting of the eyelids, small skin folds at the inner corner of the eyes, depressed nasal bridge, slightly smaller ears, smal...
As mentioned in the introduction, Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. The extra genetic material is typically responsible for the alteration of physical development. Some of the most common physical traits of Down Syndrome are distinct facial features such as a upward slanting almond shaped eyes, a seemingly flattened face, a tongue that tends to stick out, and small ears. Some of the other physical traits that are sometimes present are short stature, poor muscle tone, and a crease across the palm of the hand (CDC). Due to the poor muscle tone in their bodies, people who have Down Syndrome are more susceptible to conditions such as obesity and sleep apnea...
To all parents, a newborn child is a small miracle, perfect and beautiful in every way. However, in many situations the parents of these miracles learn that their children are “not normal.” Every year 6,000 parents across the country are informed that their child has a genetic disorder called Down Syndrome (“National Down Syndrome Society,” n.d.). Within a matter of minutes parents learn that children with Down Syndrome can also have a variety of other conditions and disorders, will not develop in the same way that other children do, and may even have a shorter life span. However, children with Down Syndrome are happy-go-lucky children with a kind disposition and a wonderful personality. Also known as Trisomy 21, Down Syndrome does not mean the end of a child’s life; it simply means that a child with Down Syndrome will lead a life that is different than that of his or her peers. With love and support from parents, educators, and medical professions these children can become some of the most wonderful people that one will ever meet. Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder that has its own symptoms, occurs during the process of mitosis, and is often connected with other medical conditions; however, with the help of new technology and medical professionals Down syndrome is recognized earlier and those with the condition can lead longer, healthier lives.
Down syndrome was discovered in the 1800’s by a man named John Langton Down. Down syndrome1 is a condition that occurs in the chromosomes. The syndrome affects the intellectual ability of the person effected, their facial appearance and causes hypotonia2. Children born with this usually experience different types of birth defects. These birth defects can include heart defects and intestine blockage. People with Down syndrome are also at a high risk of developing other medical conditions. Some medical conditions include gastro esophageal reflux3, celiac disease4, hypothyroidism5, and leukemia6. Also some visual and hearing problems can arise. There are three types of Down syndrome.
What do you think when you see a person with Down syndrome? Some might feel sorry for that person and wondering how their life must really be. Down syndrome is the most common genetic chromosomal disorder which causes learning disabilities in children (“What is”). Down syndrome is caused by a problem with a baby’s chromosomes. Ninety percent of people diagnosed with Down syndrome are not allowed to be born. Most lives are taken away before they have a chance to live a dreamy live or even smile at their parents. Some people believe that those with Down syndrome are better off never being born. There are three different types of Down syndrome disorders, Down syndrome, and Down syndrome does not have to slow a person’s life down.
500 parents of children with Down syndrome were originally sent invitation letters, while 363 chose to complete one of two versions of a questionnaire (Povee et.al., 2012). This was narrowed down to 224 parents of children with Down syndrome who completed the long version of the form and had children between the ages of 4-25 years old. Family factors of marital status, financial status, and education were noted. The ages of the children had a mean of 13.68 years and were 57% male (Povee et. al., 2012). Researchers were given ethical approval by Princess Margaret Hospital Ethics committee for the study. The variables studied included marital adjustment, family functioning and maladaptive behavior, while controlled variables included age, gender, functional ability of the child with Down syndrome, and the SES of the family (Povee et.al., 2012). Participates completed a multidimensional questionnaire about medical, educational, social, functional status, and needs of children and young adults with Down Syndrome. Results were provided in four tables, one figure and in written
"Having Down syndrome is like being born normal. I am just like you and you are just like me. We are all born in different ways, that is the way I can describe it. I have a normal life"(Burke, C., n.d.). Where special education is concerned, one must always remember that exceptional learners are different, not less. In the following studies, the various strengths and weaknesses of the language and communication of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) is reviewed and discussed.
People with Down syndrome have feelings just like each of us. They reciprocate positively to acts of friendship and they feel upset by inconsiderate behaviour (National Down Syndrome Society, 2012). It is therefore important that society treats them fairly, as many are capable of working in the community. Although there are a considerable number of services available to educate and prepare them to face the world, they might feel ostracised by society due to the misconceptions and stereotypes formed about them. Therefore, the best way to help them merge into society is to treat them with respect and understanding.
Babies with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21, which changes how the brain and body develops. The additional genetic material alter the course of the child’s life. What I mean by that is it totally changes the way that they function. Some of the disabilities of Down syndrome include: physical learning problems, speech is harder to understand, or speech delay. Development for a child with Down syndrome involves delayed development, learning disability, or a short stature. People with Down syndrome have different characteristics than others, some of them include: flattened face, almond shaped eyes that slant up, small mouth, misplaced tongue (may stick out of mouth), tiny white spots on the Iris, short neck, small hands and feet, small ears that may fold over at the top, low
Many women have recieved horrible news about their yet unborn child, Melanie Perkins McLaughlin had faced this issue and had to choose between a ‘heartbreaking” decision and keeping the Down Syndrome child. Melanie had had two miscarriages previous to this pregnancy. “Doctors gave Mclaughlin the option to terminate but told her she would have to decide quickly. (Szabo A.1)” Melanie wondered if she could handle the task of raising this baby with down syndrome. “Down syndrom or Trisomy 21 is common in 200,000 Americans; Trisomy 21 causes intellectual disabilities, low muscle tone and other complications(Szabo A.1).” Usually when soon to be mothers or previous mothers find out that their unborn bab has down synydrome they are shocked, saddened, or in disbelief.”Melany McLaughlin and her husband met with 5 year-old Anna Burnett, they saw how Anna was playing with their other children and thought “maybe this isnt the end of the world, that maybe it would be okay (Szabo A.1).” Some
The life of a child with Down syndrome is different from the life of a child without Down syndrome. Down syndrome is “a genetic chromosome 21 disorder causing developmental and intellectual delays”. (4) If you think about it, there are many people that have Down syndrome. The complications of living with Down syndrome can range in severity to mild to extreme and may include thyroid disease which is any dysfunction of the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. Heart defects which is an abnormality in the heart that develops before birth, obesity, seizures and many more.(3) There are two types of symptoms, behavioral and physical. Some behavioral symptoms are poor judgment, impulsiveness, delayed speech and language development.
Imagine coming into 4th grade on the first day of school and having the other children look at you funny and not understanding why. Nothing is more devastating than when you are excited to make friends and interact with the other children, but when the teacher hands out assignments and tells everyone to get in small groups, and you are excluded and have to work by yourself or with a teaching assistant. This is what it is like to be a 4th grader with Down syndrome.