History of Down syndrome

Children with Down syndrome are seen in pictures dating back to 1505, but the first person to recognize Down syndrome as an entity was the English doctor John Langdon Down (1828-1896) in 1866. A " syndrome " is a collection of signs or characteristics.

Down syndrome is the most common cause of developmental disability

Down syndrome occurs at the rate of about 1 in 900 live births worldwide.  It is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are microscopic, rod-shaped bodies which carry genes. These genes carry the "blueprint of life." Almost all of a person's traits-- from eye color to the size of one's hands, to the sound of one's voice--are coded in genes. The clinical name for Down syndrome is Trisomy 21. Trisomy ( meaning 3 copies ) and 21 ( meaning in the 21st. pair. ) There are 46 pairs of chromosomes in each cell. Down syndrome occurs with the addition of one extra chromosome in the 21st. pair. What causes the presence of the additional chromosome is still unknown. Although the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome increases with maternal age, babies with Down syndrome are born at the same rate into families from all social, economic and racial backgrounds, and to parents of all ages. As for the maternal age, if the risk is just 1in 1000 at 20, it is 1 in 600 at thirty, 1 in 250 at 35, and 1 in 70 at forty. When you reach 44, the risk can be as high as 1 in 20. Currently, there are more than 2,000,000 people with Down syndrome worldwide.

Developmental difficulties associated with Down syndrome

Include:

  • Delayed cognitive skills (such as speech and language acquisition and short-term memory abilities)
  • Delayed motor skills (such as sitting, crawling and walking in infancy)

Medical problems associated with Down syndrome

These include heart defects, respiratory complications, hearing and vision defects, infection, obstructive digestive systems, leukemia, thyroid disorders, diabetes, and developing Alzheimer-type dementia later in life.

Abilities of individuals with Down syndrome

The range of abilities and disabilities, interests, achievements and characteristics among people with Down syndrome vary widely, as with everyone. Today, with loving homes, advanced medical care, greater social acceptance, and better education, people with Down syndrome can live full, productive, independent and useful lives. Individuals with Down syndrome can now expect to live to 50-60 years of age. Increasingly, people with Down syndrome are completing high school, college, gaining job skills, finding meaningful employment, living independently, and maintaining long-term adult relationships.

Characteristics of Down syndrome

  • Low muscle tone... which means the muscles appear relaxed and feel floppy, which can affect strength and movement
  • Almond shape eyes which appear to slant upward and have small folds at the inner corners
  • Nasal bridge that is slightly depressed or flatter than usual and the nose is smaller, giving the individual's face a flat appearance
  • The mouth may be small and the roof of the mouth may be shallow, causing the tongue to protrude or appear larger
  • The palm of the hand may only have one crease across it
  • Ears may be smaller and the tops may fold over
  • Hands may be smaller, with fingers shorter than typical

Opportunities for people with Down syndrome

  • Early Intervention (EI) programs that serve birth to 3 years old
  • Early Childhood Special Education ( ECSE ) that serves 3-5 years old
  • Free Appropriate Public Education ( FAPE ) in the Least Restrictive Environment ( LRE ) in the public school system
  • Therapy...including:  Occupational, Speech, Physical
  • Employment training

Given the opportunity to develop their individual skills, people with Down syndrome have an increased chance of becoming integral members of their community.