Picture from: http://kidshealth By: Heather Williams

Down Syndrome Defined: (Trisomy 21) a genetic disorder that causes lifelong intellectual disabilities, developmental delays and other problems. It varies in severity. www.mayoclinic.com

Prenatal Screening and Diagnoses Screening tests- estimate the risk that the fetus will have DS. Diagnostic tests- tells whether the fetus had DS or not. www.kidshealth.org Picture from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:T21.JPG

Causes At the time of conception instead of the normal 23 chromosomes from the father and 23 chromosomes from the mother the baby gets an extra chromosome 21 for a total of 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46 chromosomes. www.kidshealth.org

Medical Problems Associated with Down Syndrome Some have none. Congenital heart defect. Pulmonary hypertension. Hearing and vision. Thyroid problems. Obesity. Intestinal abnormalities. Seizure disorders. Respiratory problems. Increased susceptibility to infection. Higher risk of childhood leukemia. www.kidshealth.org

Risk Factors of Having a Baby with Down Syndrome Older maternal age. Have a one child with down syndrome. Being carriers of the genetic trait. www.mayoclinic.com

How does it affect children? Physical features differ including: flat facial profile, upward slant to the eyes, small ears, protruding tongue. Low muscle tone. Grow at a slower rate. May have delays in speech and skills such as feeding, dressing and toilet teaching. Mild to moderate learning disabilities. www.kidshealth.org

Down Syndrome and IDEA “Under IDEA 97, it appears that children under age 3 with Down syndrome would be eligible for early speech-language evaluation and treatment services, audiological evaluations including hearing testing, feeding therapy, assistive communication devices, and transportation and related costs.” “IDEA 97 considers several issues that have a direct impact on where services should be delivered. Part A deals with elementary through secondary school. For elementary-school-age children through high-school age, services are most likely to be delivered on site within the school. According to the statutes of IDEA 97, services should be provided in the natural environment, and the interpretation appears to be that "the natural environment" means within the classroom. There is a recognition within the legislation that inclusion within regular classrooms is increasing, and that classroom teachers in regular education settings and specialists (such as speech-language pathologists) in special education roles are working together more frequently. For example, the legislation mandates that the regular education teacher in a child's classroom be part of the IEP team for that child and provides funding for regular educators, classroom assistants, and special education and related services personnel to receive training regarding children with disabilities.” www.ds-health.com

Myths & Truths Down Syndrome is rare: 1 in every 733 live births, about 5,000 a year. People with DS has a short life span: almost reaches the same as people without. Down syndrome can never be cured: scientists feel they will be able to improve, correct or prevent many of the symptoms in the future. www.ndss.org

Where to get support? Trust a group of professionals. Other families dealing with same problems. Don’t believe all information you hear. www.mayoclinic.com

Resources www.mayoclinic.com www.ndss.org www.kidshealth.org www.ds-health.com