A Glance at down Syndrome

Abstract

This paper is written several different journals about down syndrome. The journals include Journal Biomedical Science, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, and the New Trends and Issues Proceedings on Humanities and Social Sciences. Information was also pulled from website of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention and also the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. The information was analyzed and was used to explain the characteristics, impact of the disability, causes, educational interventions, family role of children with downs syndrome.

Introduction

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), down syndrome is the most chromosomal disorder (CDC, para.1). As reported by the CDC, one out of seven hundred babies are born with downs syndrome (CDC, para.1). Down syndrome can be described as having an unbalanced set of genes. An individual with down syndrome can have both physical and learning deficits from the disability. As stated by Ambreen, Ashok, Sarita, Shalu, and Srinivasan (2015), Down syndrome is one of the most leading causes of intellectual disability and millions of these patients face various health issues including learning and memory, congenital heart diseases (CHD), Alzheimer's diseases (AD), leukemia, cancers and Hirschprung disease (HD), (Ambreen et.al 2015, p.1)). Down syndrome is a disease that occurs from within the body but can most evidently be seen on the outside.

Characteristics

When it comes to the characteristics of this disorder most individuals with down syndrome look alike but each induvial is affected differently, even though most share the same physical characteristics. Individuals with down syndrome are recognizable by physical characteristics. Several of these characteristics were stated by Ambreen, Ashok, Sarita, Shalu, and Srinivasan (2015), the characteristics include: small chin, slanted eyes, poor muscle tone, a flat looking nose, crease running across palm, and a larger tongue and mouth (2015). Characteristics amongst down syndrome children are not just physical they are also known to exhibit behavior problems. As recorded in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders by Coe et.al (1999), a study was done and proven to show that one out of three down syndrome children have a behavior problem (Coe et.al 1999).

Disability Impact on Family

The impact it has on families can be devastating and heart breaking to a family and family members. Most parents are scared from the start, but it is just something you know that's going to be a challenge and that you will have ups and downs. I know what it takes and have been around family members who have Down syndrome. I have first-hand experience with someone with this disorder because my friend's sister has Down syndrome. For example, she cannot be left alone at home. They must get a baby sitter or someone in the family to watch over her if the parents are not home. She also cannot attend loud events unless she has something that can block out sound. For example, when the family comes to our football games, they must get a baby sitter or she would come to the game with headphones to block out noises. Normally she just sits down and watches television and someone will just keep checking up on her every thirty minutes or so. Sometimes she will get in a bad mood and will not talk to anyone and will just hang on to her mom and dad. For the most part though she does everything a normal girl her age does like dances, plays sports, and she loves to swim but she just needs some guidance when doing so.

Prevalence and Causes

Educational/Medical Interventions

When it comes to learning and teaching kids with Down syndrome, they tend to need more academic support than most other kids. They are most likely to be put in their own class room that rages from 10-12 kids in class. No matter what it is they always have some type of support or guidance for everything they do. For example, they will all walk together with a teacher to go get their lunch or use the restroom, but they all stick together, mostly for safety reasons. When it comes to school work all the kids will work on their own assignment at their own pace and the teacher will walk around and help them. There is standard treatment for Down syndrome, it all just depends on the individuals. Children with Down syndrome will likely see a number of health professionals like physicians, special educators, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and social workers. People with Down syndrome are at a greater risk for several health problems and conditions. Some conditions may require immediate surgery right after birth, and occasional treatment throughout childhood or even long-term treatments.

Family Role

The most important role of a family member is supporting the child or family member with this disorder. You want your child or family member to feel loved and involved with the family events/activities not like some outsider. You should treat them like they are typical and not special. The best way to do so is to get them involved in regular actives like sports, cheerleading and so on. As a sibling, you must help support your parents by helping watch them. For example, maybe let your parents go out to eat take them outside and play with them for a little bit, so your parents can relax. You also need to be understanding that sometimes the parents may need to pay more attention/focus to them than you at some points. Children who have a sibling with a disability can benefit them in ways they might not even notice. For example, these kids often enhance a level of maturity above their peers and tend to have more highly-developed communication and social skills.

Conclusion

In conclusion, doing this research on the topic of Down Syndrome has significantly enhanced my knowledge. I thought I had a very good understanding about this disability due to my personal experience with this disability. I have worked with lots of kids that have Down syndrome, but I have learned a great deal more. Down syndrome is an important disease and its over looked by many. It is the most common chromosomal condition and more people should know about the disability and the issues families go through.

References

Ambreen, Asim, Ashok, Kumar, Sarita, Agarwal, Shalu, Jain, Srinivasan, Muthuswamy., (2015)

Down syndrome: An Insight of the Disease. Journal of Biomedical Science,(22), 44

Baglio, Christopher., Capone, George., Coe, David., Matson, Johnny., Russell, Deirde.,Slifer,

Keith., Stallings, Sydney.(1999). Behavior Problems of Children with Downs Syndrome and Life Events. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Vol.29(2), 149-155

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (N.D).Birth Defects. Retrieved

from:https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/downsyndrome/data.html

Duranovic, M., Klasnic, I.& Opic,V. (2017). A Child With Down Syndrome-Challenge for

Families, Kindergartens, and schools. New Trends and Issues Proceedings on Humanities and Social Sciences. Issue 5(2017), 32-41

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. Down Syndrome NICHCY

Disability Fact Sheet. ERIC, ED572706

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