You have probably seen people who have Down syndrome. They have certain physical features, such as
a flatter face and upward slanting eyes
. They may have medical problems, too, such as heart defects. Kids with Down syndrome usually have trouble learning and are slower to learn how to talk and take care of themselves.
What challenges do adults with Down syndrome face?
- Being overweight.
- Diabetes.
- Cataracts and other problems seeing.
- Early menopause.
- High cholesterol.
- Thyroid illness.
- Increased risk of leukemia.
Do people with Down syndrome struggle?
Most children and adults with Down syndrome continue to
develop good social skills and appropriate social behaviour
, though a significant minority may develop difficult behaviours, particularly those with the greatest delays in speech and language development.
What are some specific challenges a person with Down syndrome may need to overcome?
- Feeding. Feeding an infant or child with Down Syndrome can be challenging as most have some degree of low muscle tone or hypotonia, which affects all muscles in the body, including those of the mouth, tongue and face. …
- Speech and language. …
- Hearing.
Can a person with Down syndrome look normal?
Misconception: People with Down syndrome
all look alike
.
For example, many but not all people with Down syndrome have almond-shaped eyes and a short stature. However, like typical people who share similar features, they look more like their families than each other.
Can someone with Down syndrome have normal intelligence?
I.Q. 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 people 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 is the mental age of a person with Down syndrome?
The average IQ of a young adult with Down syndrome is 50, equivalent to the mental ability of
an eight- or nine-year-old child
, but this can vary widely. The parents of the affected individual are usually genetically normal.
Can Down syndrome be prevented?
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.
What are the 3 types of Down syndrome?
- Trisomy 21. This is by far the most common type, where every cell in the body has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two.
- Translocation Down syndrome. In this type, each cell has part of an extra chromosome 21, or an entirely extra one. …
- Mosaic Down syndrome.
What part of the body does Down syndrome generally affect?
Down syndrome, the most common chromosome-related genetic condition in the U.S., affects development of
the brain and body
.
What are the behaviors of Down syndrome?
The most common mental health concerns include: general anxiety, repetitive and obsessive-compulsive behaviors;
oppositional, impulsive, and inattentive behaviors
; sleep related difficulties; depression; autism spectrum conditions; and neuropsychological problems characterized by progressive loss of cognitive skills.
Do Down syndrome babies cry differently?
Just like any baby, infants who have
Down syndrome will sometimes be fussy
. The temperament of a baby with Down syndrome is not usually any different from the temperament of any other baby.
Can Down syndrome go undetected?
This means that
one or two out of 10 pregnancies with Down syndrome are missed
(classified as screen negative). With the Integrated Test, about four out of five cases of spina bifida are detected, and one out of five is missed. Nearly all cases of anencephaly are detected.
Can animals have Down syndrome?
Down syndrome happens when there is a full or partial copy of chromosome 21. But a duplication of all or part of chromosome 21 would have different effects in the two species. Simply put, the answer is no.
The condition of Down syndrome has not been described in dogs
.
Does Down syndrome get worse with age?
Adults with Down syndrome experience “accelerated aging,” meaning they
will age faster than the general population
. It is expected that adults with Down syndrome will show physical, medical, and cognitive signs of aging much earlier than what is expected for their age.
