1. DOWN SYNDROME Down Syndrome, also called Trisomy 21 is the most common cause of mental retardation and malformation in a newborn.

2. CHARACTERISTICS Psychomotor
Possible difficulty in walking by age 12 months
Severe motor delays will put individual at a disadvantage
Balance deficits limit motor skills at early age
Poor muscle tone
Hyperflexibility
Heart conditions could affect activity and fitness levels through out lifetime.

3. Cognitive
Delayed mental or social skills
Affective
Stubborn behavior usually prompted by not fully understanding what is expected of them or when trying to gain control over their lives
May engage in self talk when in an uncomfortable or confusing situation

4. CAUSE
Down Syndrome, also called Trisomy 21, is caused by an error in cell division called non-disjunction.
An accident in cell development results in 47 instead of the usual 46. The extra chromosome, number 21, is present in all or most of the individuals’ cells.
This extra 21st chromosome has an impact on psychomotor, cognitive and language development.
Two other types of chromosomal abnormalities, mosaicism and translocation, are implicated but to a much lesser extent.

5. Characteristics
Some physical characteristics of individuals with Down Syndrome commonly display are: short or truncated stature, short fingers, toes, limbs and neck.
They also display distinct facial features including small skull, slanting, almond shaped eyes, flat-bridged nose and small oral cavity which can make the tongue look large and protruding.
Individuals with Down Syndrome have a tendency to be overweight.

6. Future conditions for individual’s with Down Syndrome
An inability to ever reach normal growth development
Possibility of poor hearing
Heart conditions that will affect activity and fitness levels through life

7. A faster aging process with a tendency to develop diseases of aging like Alzheimer’s at an early age.
Also, individuals with Down Syndrome are affected by certain eye disorders including Strabismus (crossed eyes), which affects tracking skills and binocular vision through out life.

8. IMPLICATIONS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Some important things that may affect a student’s performance in P.E. include:
visual problems
mild to moderate hearing loss
possible cardiovascular irregularities

9. In addition, some individuals with Down Syndrome have Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI), a condition where there is increased mobility between the first and second cervical vertebrae, allowing the vertebrae to slip out of alignment easily, causing damage to the spinal cord.
Because there are no symptoms of AAI, it is important for individuals with Down Syndrome to have X-rays taken. Copies of these X-rays should be given to the school before any participation in physical activities.

10. RECOMMENDED & CONTRAINDICATED ACTIVITIES
Yoga poses which help to stretch, tone and strengthen the whole body. Yoga benefits central nervous system and helps develop balance, body awareness, concentration and memory
Students and athletes with Down Syndrome should be restricted from participation in gymnastics, diving, the butterfly stroke in swimming, the high jump, “heading” in soccer, and any exercise which places pressure on the muscles of the neck.

11. EFFECTIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES
Preschool
Teach individual in a highly structured environment.
Allow for touching and feeling to learn
Use lighter weight equipment.
Use smaller teaching space
Use visual and auditory aid

12. Elementary
Allow student to make choices with some activities to help their decision-making skills
Keep the same routine for class structure
Keep directions specific and brief
Use visual and auditory aids
Demonstrate skills
Use lighter weight equipment.
Breakdown the task into simple, small steps
Use of peer partners
Use positive behavior management strategies

13. Secondary
Allow student to make choices with some activities to help their decision-making skills
Keep the same routine for class structure
Use visual and auditory aids
Breakdown the task into simple, small steps
Demonstrate skills
Use of peer partners
Use positive behavior management strategies