There are four national Down syndrome organizations in the United States: Global Down Syndrome Foundation , National Down Syndrome Congress, National Down Syndrome Society, and Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action.
What support does someone with Down syndrome need?
Medical support
a speech and language therapist – for help with speaking. a physiotherapist – for help walking if they have low muscle tone. an optician or hearing specialist – for help with vision and hearing. an occupational therapist – for help with their development.
Social worker: People with Down’s syndrome may need help in overcoming some social problems , such as finding accommodation or applying for financial benefits. A social worker will help them to do this, allowing them to live more independently.
How do you interact with someone with Down syndrome?
Always speak directly with the person with Down syndrome , not the person with them. Give them time to respond. Take their lead on what support they need to communicate. Know that every person with Down syndrome is unique, with their individual personality, strengths and support needs.
How can families help a child with Down syndrome?
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 I help the Down syndrome community?
Partner services and programs may include: new parent support and education, family meetings, sibling and grandparent support, recreational activities, lending libraries, helplines, regional conferences, partnerships with Down Syndrome Clinics, training for medical professionals and educators, Advocacy and Buddy Walk® ...
Do people with Down syndrome need special equipment?
These devices can be anything from hearing aids , pencil/pen grips, seat cushions and walking aids to large-button mobile phones and large-letter keyboards. Touchscreen tablets and computers are useful for children with Down Syndrome who struggle with performing fine motor movements.
How do you empower someone with Down syndrome?
Include adults with Down syndrome in conversations about their future. Utilize tools that shift responsibility to them as much as possible, like cellphone reminders, visual cues, wall calendars, and daily to-do lists. Incorporate peer supports and mentors. No one likes to be told what to do by parents all the time!
How do you show respect to someone with Down syndrome?
Use people first language; say that someone is a “person with Down syndrome,” “has Down syndrome” or “is living with Down syndrome.” Do not say “Down person” or that a person “suffers from” or is “afflicted with” Down syndrome.
How does Down syndrome affect communication?
The most common communication problems for adults with Down syndrome are that their speech may be difficult to understand (speech intelligibility) and that they have difficulty with long conversations, with telling about what happened to them or retelling a story, and with asking for specific clarifications when they ...
How do you congratulate a child with Down syndrome parents?
- “Congratulations.” They just had a baby! ...
- “He/She looks just like you.” The baby probably does look like someone in the family. ...
- Tell them what you have learned from the RMDSA website and share the resources you’ve identified.
What local resources are available for someone with Down syndrome?
- KidsHealth.Org. ...
- PubMed Health. ...
- WebMD. ...
- National Down Syndrome Society. ...
- National Down Syndrome Congress. ...
- Down Syndrome International. ...
- The International Down Syndrome Coalition. ...
- Band Of Angels.
What happens to Down syndrome adults?
As adults with Down syndrome grow older, there is increased risk of experiencing certain common mental health disorders like depression, anxiety , obsessive compulsive disorder and behavioral disturbances. A sudden or abrupt change in mood or behavior patterns warrants further investigation.
What are the treatments and therapies for Down syndrome?
There is no medical cure for Down syndrome, however, children with Down syndrome benefit from early access to medical care and developmental interventions beginning in infancy. Beneficial therapies for Down syndrome include physical, occupational, behavioral, and speech therapy .
Does speech therapy help Down syndrome?
A child with Down’s Syndrome may be able to understand more than they are able to express. Our Speech and Language Therapists can help to increase their ability to express what they are feeling by increasing their vocabulary and developing a language programme that works on their expressive language and syntax skills.
How do you motivate a student with Down syndrome?
- First, always speak directly to the student, using clear, receptive language and short sentences.
- Place a strong emphasis on visual learning when teaching reading to students with Down syndrome. Think visual demonstrations, pictures, and illustrations.
Why do Down’s syndrome talk to themselves?
Additionally, we have found that many adults with Down syndrome rely on self-talk to vent feelings such as sadness or frustration. They think out loud in order to process daily life events. This is because their speech or cognitive impairments inhibit communication .
At what age does a child with Down syndrome talk?
Typically, these children have a much harder time learning to talk (expressive language) than with understanding what they hear (receptive language). On average, children with Down syndrome start using words around 16 months of age —about 6 months later than other children.
What is self-talk in Down syndrome?
Parents of children and adults with Down syndrome have observed many of them engage in self-talk or ‘private speech’. They may use self-talk to work out situations, express inner feelings, and entertain themselves . Some reports have stressed that this behavior is not a delusion or hallucination.
Why should we respect people with Down syndrome?
Individuals with Down syndrome need to be viewed as just that—individuals. They want and deserve to be and feel valued just like everyone else. They want and have the ability to make valuable contributions to the community despite their challenges.
Do people with Down syndrome have photographic memory?
Most people with Down syndrome have an amazing memory for people, places and past events. This can often be described as “photographic memory .” Children may make lists of facts they are interested in such as favorite movie actors or songs. Children also may easily remember where things are or places they have visited.
How do you interact with nonverbal Down syndrome?
Good early communication skills – Most children with Down syndrome are eager to communicate and their early non-verbal communication skills are good. These include making eye-contact , taking turns in babble games, developing joint attention, and using gestures.
Can a person with Down syndrome drive?
Down Syndrome Driving Classses
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.
What it’s like living with Down syndrome?
People with Down syndrome can feel angry, sad, embarrassed or excited . In fact, rather than always being happy, people with Down syndrome are at higher risk of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviour than the general population.
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 should you not tell a parent of a Down syndrome child?
- Nothing. ...
- “You only get given what you can handle.” ...
- “He/she is God’s gift.” ...
- “I could never handle what you handle.” ...
- The “R” word. ...
- “Did you get genetic testing?” ...
- ‘ ...
- “Everything happens for a reason.”
Why do people with Downs have the same face?
Why do people with Down syndrome look the same? They have an extra chromosome or part of an extra chromosome . Researchers believe that this extra genetic material affects growth of the maxilla (part of the skull) and the bone, cartilage, and connective tissue in the head, known as the cranial neural crest.
What is the probability of having a child with Down syndrome?
The risk for chromosome problems increases with the mother’s age. The chance of having a child with Down syndrome increases over time. The risk is about 1 in 1,250 for a woman who conceives at age 25 . It increases to about 1 in 100 for a woman who conceives at age 40.
