Down Syndrome

It’s estimated that there are about 5,000 babies born every year in the United States who have Down syndrome. Nobody knows why it happens. These babies are born with that little bit of something extra, an extra copy of chromosome 21 in all of the cells of the body, and many parents feel that this extra chromosome gives these special children a greater capacity for love.

Down syndrome children can be born into any family, regardless of race or sex of the child, although mothers over the age of 40 years are at greater risk of having a child with Down syndrome. If you have one child with Down syndrome it doesn’t necessarily follow that subsequent children will be the same, although the risk is slightly increased.

Physical Effects

Children who are born with Down syndrome do generally have specific physical attributes:

• Round face with a small chin
• Almond shaped eyes
• Impaired eyesight and vision problems so they often need to wear spectacles
• Growth impairment, they very rarely grow tall
• Larger than average tongue which can often make speech difficult

Cognitive Abilities

Children with Down syndrome will have cognitive abilities which are significantly lower than other children of the same age, with some of them even have severe mental disabilities. Many of them are, however, able to attend mainstream schools where they are encouraged to lead a full and happy childhood.

Caring for Children with Down Syndrome

Although it is often a shock for parents to discover that their child is "different," many parents of Down syndrome children develop an extra special bond with their child. Of course, the day to day challenges can be quite different and in many cases difficult to come to terms with, but these children are very often loving and caring by nature and thrive in the company of people. These children are often prone to health problems such as ear infections, thyroid problems and heart disease, so lots of medical attention is needed to treat this at a young age to avoid potential problems in later life. Whereas the life expectancy of someone with Down syndrome used to be around twenty years, things have changed quite dramatically and some can expect to live until they are around sixty years of age if potential problems are dealt with soon enough.

Speech and physical therapy may be needed for a young child who has Down Syndrome, but with care and attention many of them are able to attend mainstream schools and, although slower than many children of their own age do go on to leading full and happy lives, holding down jobs and even attending college.

Though many parents go through a roller coaster of emotions when Down syndrome is diagnosed, - shock, guilt, anger, blame, denial, disappointment, shame and sadness, the overwhelming result is that, although it is certainly not a condition which is desired by society, very often these children bring a whole new meaning to the lives of their parents and those around them with their sheer loving and caring nature.