Children with Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a chromosome disorder.
It is a set of mental and physical symptoms that are the result of having an extra Down syndrome chromosome 21. It is named after John Langdon Down who described this disorder in 1866.
Children with Down syndrome have a few physical and mental features in common. The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Usually Down syndrome is synonymous with impaired cognitive ability, physical growth and may have developmental disabilities.
A small number of Down syndrome children have severe mentally disabilities. It is said that 1 out of 1000 births have Down Syndrome, although the statistics lean toward older mothers as being a high risk factor. Women who have children over 40 years old seem to be at the highest risk.
Most children with Down syndrome have limited abilities to adaptive to every day behaviors. They also have low levels of social, conceptual and practical skills.
Children with Downs usually have a mild to moderate level of mental retardation. Because of this they may have delayed language development and very slow motor development.
There is no cure for Downs syndrome but an early diagnosis is key to helping these children lead productive lives and reach their fullest potential. Children with Downs benefit from occupational therapy for feeding and fine motor skills and possibly physical therapy to increase motor skills. Also, a speech pathologist can help with feeding, delayed speech and articulation concerns. A blood test can determine if a child has down syndrome.
Some common physical signs of Down syndrome include:
- Flat face with an upward slant to the eye, short neck, and abnormally shaped ears
- Deep crease in the palm of the hand
- White spots on the iris of the eye
- Poor muscle tone, loose ligaments
- Small hands and feet
There are a variety of other health conditions that are often seen in people who have Down syndrome.
- Congenital heart disease
- Hearing problems
- Intestinal problems, such as blocked small bowel or esophagus
- Celiac disease
- Eye problems, such as cataracts
- Thyroid dysfunctions
- Skeletal problems
- Dementia—similar to Alzheimer’s
One of the best series of DVDs I have used for the last several years as a Speech Pathologist, is from Signing Times. It is a series of DVD’s that show children signing, and saying the word and matching it with the object or action.
It not only teaches children to learn sign language but also teaches other family members or classmates. Since Children with Down Syndrome sometimes have high levels of speech delay and articulation concerns often it is recommended they also learn sign language. I highly recommend this product. Below are additional recommended readings and DVDs.
