Quality of Life: down Syndrome

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. -Chris Burke. People with Down Syndrome function in everyday life and can adapt very well in almost every situation. They are the most open-minded people and love everyone they come into contact with. Down Syndrome is a genetic chromosome 21 disorder causing cognitive delays and developmental delays. In 1866, John Langdon Down described Down Syndrome as a disorder but misunderstood how a fetus is born with Down Syndrome. In 1959, it was discovered that Down Syndrome actually had to do with genetics.

What is Down Syndrome?

Down Syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition and can affect any race. There are three different types of Down Syndrome. The first type of Down Syndrome and the most common is Trisomy 21. This type of Down Syndrome is where an individual has forty-seven chromosomes in each one of their cells, where people without Down Syndrome only have forty-six. Trisomy 21 is caused by a problem in the cell division called nondisjunction. Ninety-five percent of people with Down Syndrome have Trisomy 21. The second type of Down Syndrome is called Translocation Down syndrome. Only about three percent of people with Down Syndrome has this type and occurs when an extra part of chromosome 21 is there, but it is attached to a different chromosome when it is usually attached to the separate chromosome 21. Lastly, the third type of Down Syndrome is called Mosaic Down syndrome only about two percent of people have this type of Down Syndrome. People with this type of Down Syndrome, some of their cells have three copies of chromosome 21, but other cells have the typical two copies of chromosome 21. People with Mosaic Down Syndrome do not have the same features as a person with Trisomy 21 or Translocation Down Syndrome. Their features are not as noticeable as a person with Trisomy 21 and Translocation.

Learning and Development:

Children and people with Down Syndrome have developmental delays, but they also have many talents. Professionals try to encourage the parents of the children with Down Syndrome to give their child the opportunity to discover those abilities and talents. According to nads.org children with Down syndrome have mild to moderate impairments but it is important to note that they are more like other children than they are different. Children with Down Syndrome, depending on how severe, are not able to be in regular classes but there is always a possibility. The likeliness for a child with Down Syndrome to be in a regular class is not high but it is possible. Through their years of school, they are introduced to different activities, such as sports or clubs. When they are able to graduate from high school, they have the option to participate in something called a post-secondary education. The average IQ of an adult with Down Syndrome is fifty or equal to an eight to nine years old.

Lifestyle:

People with Down Syndrome, depending on how severe their Down Syndrome, their life is just like any other person. They are able to participate in everyday activities such as a job or school. The community they live in have so many opportunities for them to participate in once they have graduated, such as a college program or a program for adults with disabilities. A few daily activities people with Down Syndrome participate in are sports, clubs, painting, watching TV, playing board games, going to their job, and going to school. In most situations, people with Down Syndrome understand the means of personal hygiene. Most of them know how to do laundry and how to wash dishes, this all depends on the family. They know how to use a TV remote and a radio, most of them love radio. The radio helps them show off their dance moves and lets them express themselves.

Friendships and Relationships:

If you have ever met a person with Down Syndrome, you may have realized that they were friendly. Just like any other child or person, people with Down Syndrome have to have the opportunities to practice their social skills and learn how to communicate. Parents are encouraged to introduce their child to different people like relatives, family friends, and friends at school. The reason for this is for them to be able to grow and develop just like any other child. There are opportunities for these children and adults with Down Syndrome all throughout the community. A few examples mentioned before are school, work, camps, and clubs; these give the child with Down Syndrome the opportunity to communicate with people their age and gender. Children with Down Syndrome are extremely good at watching and learning. Most of these children, are visual learners and doing hand on activities. Parents are also encouraged to explain to their child that friendships and relationships can take long time so that their child does not get discouraged. Children with Down Syndrome are taught different social skills to help them develop.

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