One of the best ways to meet other parents is to get involved in
a local Down syndrome parent support group
. These groups can provide you with an excellent forum for sharing your feelings and concerns as a new parent, and an opportunity to learn from the experiences of others who have been in your shoes.
How can you help someone with Down syndrome?
- do not talk down to people with Down’s syndrome – treat them like anyone their age.
- do not just talk to parents or carers, talk directly to people with Down’s syndrome.
- do not use outdated and offensive language when talking to people with Down’s syndrome – see the Down’s Syndrome Association language guide.
Social workers can assist
parents in identifying strategies to manage stress and deal with their emotions
. They can answer questions and provide education about the diagnosis. They can teach parents about the services and resources that are available for children with Down syndrome.
How does family affect Down syndrome?
Like any child, those children with Down syndrome in cohesive and harmonious families were also
less likely to have behavior problems
and more likely to have higher levels of functioning. Mothers expressing poor relationships with the child and family were more likely to have high stress scores.
Can parents prevent Down syndrome?
There’s no way to prevent Down syndrome
. If you’re at high risk of having a child with Down syndrome or you already have one child with Down syndrome, you may want to consult a genetic counselor before becoming pregnant. A genetic counselor can help you understand your chances of having a child with Down syndrome.
What are the physical needs of a person with Down syndrome?
Children with Down syndrome want to do what all children want to do: they want to
sit, crawl, walk, explore their environment, and interact with the people around them
. To do that, they need to develop their gross motor skills.
Can people with Down syndrome drive?
Many people with Down Syndrome lead independent lives, this includes being able to drive. If a person with Down syndrome can
read and pass a driver’s education class and pass a road test
, then they can get a driver’s license. Each case is independent and must be evaluated.
What gender is Down syndrome most common in?
Down syndrome appears to be more common among
boys than girls
, the study indicates. The condition is also seen more frequently in Hispanic children at birth, though the number of these children appears to level off with that of white children as they age. Black children appear less likely to have Down syndrome.
Can someone with Down syndrome have normal intelligence?
scores for people with Down syndrome vary, with the average cognitive delays being mild to moderate, not severe. In fact,
normal intelligence is possible
. If a person with Down syndrome has difficulty with hearing, it can be misinterpreted as a problem with understanding.
Can Down syndrome be cured?
No. Down syndrome is a lifelong condition and
right now there isn’t a cure
. But many health problems associated with the condition are treatable.
Can a child with Down syndrome look normal?
People with
Down syndrome all look the same
. There are certain physical characteristics that can occur. People with Down syndrome can have all of them or none. A person with Down syndrome will always look more like his or her close family than someone else with the condition.
What are signs of Down syndrome during pregnancy?
- Flat face with an upward slant to the eyes.
- Short neck.
- Abnormally shaped or small ears.
- Protruding tongue.
- Small head.
- Deep crease in the palm of the hand with relatively short fingers.
- White spots in the iris of the eye.
- Poor muscle tone, loose ligaments, excessive flexibility.
What increases your chances of having a baby with Down syndrome?
A woman’s chances of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome increase with age because older eggs have a greater risk of improper chromosome division. A woman’s risk of conceiving a child with Down syndrome increases
after 35 years of age
.
At what age does a child with Down syndrome walk?
Some babies with Down syndrome start walking the same time as any other child, typically around the
age of 2
. Some babies with Down syndrome will start walking at the same time as any other child, typically around the age of two. If there are difficulties or you have any concerns, speak to your doctor.
Do Down syndrome babies cry a lot?
Children with Down syndrome are children, above all else.
As babies they cry and sleep
, and as they grow they walk and talk. If you’re caring for a child with Down syndrome, you might face some challenges different to other parents.
What are the 3 types of Down syndrome?
The three basic types of Down syndrome are
trisomy 21, translocation, and mosaicism
. All types of Down syndrome result from irregular chromosomes in some or all of the baby’s cells. These irregularities are caused by abnormal cell division, usually in the egg but sometimes in the sperm, before or after conception.
