Down Syndrome Answers

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement in which a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21.

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition. The sole characteristic shared by all people with Down syndrome is the presence of extra genetic material associated with the 21st chromosome. This happens because of an error during cell division when the egg and sperm first meet. The effects of that extra genetic material vary greatly from individual to individual.

Like anyone else, a person affected by Down syndrome is able, with a bit of practice, to ride a bicycle.

With practice and help, people with Down syndrome are able to do many of the things that all people are able to do. This includes riding a bike. There are also modified bicycles available for people with mobility issues, which can include people with Down syndrome.

Many adults living with Down syndrome are able to live on their own or with a roommate just like anyone else.

Independence can be an important issue for people with Down syndrome as they get older. Often, people with Down syndrome can live on their own or with a supportive roommate; there is a wide spectrum, from no support, to support once a week, to full-time support. There are services in place to help families with this transition as well. Contact your local group for more information.

Learn more about Paul Sawka, who is an example of this kind of situation. He has lived on his own since he was 26 years old with a supportive roommate.

Everyone deserves to be loved. As long as a person with Down syndrome decides they found their significant other, they can get married just like anyone else.

There are people with Down syndrome getting married – to each other and people who don’t have Down syndrome – around Canada and the world.

Down syndrome is not a disorder, it is a naturally occurring condition, which impacts the arrangement in a person’s chromosomes.

Down syndrome is not a disease, disorder, defect or medical condition and therefore does not require treatment, prevention or a cure. It is inappropriate and offensive to refer to people with Down syndrome as “afflicted with” or “suffering from” it. People with Down syndrome can go to speech or motor therapy, but this does not treat Down syndrome itself.

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition. The sole characteristic shared by all people with Down syndrome is the presence of extra genetic material associated with the 21st chromosome. This happens because of an error during cell division when the egg and sperm first meet. The effects of that extra genetic material vary greatly from individual to individual.

Many adults who have Down syndrome are able to succeed at a job. Like anyone else, it is important to enjoy what you do to do it well.

Inclusive employment is an important mandate for the Canadian Down Syndrome Society. This is when people with disabilities are given fair and equitable access to decent, meaningful work, fair pay and working conditions, and opportunities for social inclusion. When people with Down syndrome are included in all aspects of society, including the workforce, society thrives. There is also strong evidence that when people with disabilities are employed and supported in their work, business thrives.

Babies with Down syndrome may take a little longer to talk, or require help from a speech pathologist to help them speak clearly.

Speech-Language Pathology is among several supports available for a person with Down syndrome. There is no specific age when any child learns to talk.

CDSS encourages early intermission with different supports, such as speech-language pathology.

Some of the major health concerns people with Down syndrome may face are an increase in heart problems, thyroid concerns, and sleep apnea.

People with Down syndrome may face unique health complications beyond typical illnesses. Problems such as some congenital malformations of the heart can be life-threatening (although they can be surgically repaired), whereas other conditions are not as serious. No individual with Down syndrome will have all these potential health complications, however, every child needs good preventative medical care. Teamwork between the family and doctors is vital to anticipate potential problems, and provide specific and individual treatment throughout their life, should they occur. Appropriate health care can greatly enhance the potential and life of individuals with Down syndrome.

Science has shown inconclusively that Down syndrome could occur from either side of a child’s birthparent’s gene pool.

Some studies have shown that maternal age is a factor in the likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome, especially after the age of 35. However, new studies have shown that paternal age can also be a factor.

That said, most children with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35.

Down syndrome may cause low muscle tone, potential heart complications, and vision issues.

The sole characteristic shared by all persons with Down syndrome is the presence of extra genetic material associated with the 21st chromosome. The effects of that extra genetic material vary greatly from individual to individual. Persons with Down syndrome may be predisposed to certain illnesses and medical conditions that are also present in the general population.

Down syndrome, in and of itself, is not a medical condition and therefore should not prohibit a successful application for or access to medical services, insurance and treatments.

People with Down syndrome may have particular physical features that may be different from an average person, but it never stops them from enjoying life.

There are a list of physical traits that are often found in people with Down syndrome – Small, flat nose, Almond-shaped eyes that have an upward slant, Smaller limbs and body frame, A gap between the first and second toes that is larger than that of a typically developed individual, Low muscle tone, Single deep crease across the palm of the hand – but these aren’t always found in every person with Down syndrome.

People with Down syndrome look like members of their family, like all people.

A person with Down syndrome may be a little bit slower when it comes to learning, but with a positive attitude and focus it can be overcome.

All people with Down syndrome learn, develop and achieve. People with Down syndrome have developmental differences that affect their learning style. It is important to identify the best methods of teaching each child. Ideally, through early intervention programs, this begins soon after birth.

The Canadian Down Syndrome Society has several Down syndrome resources for teachers and schools to enable them to provide the best possible education for children with Down syndrome and their peers.

Doctor John Langdon down discovered common traits of people with Trisomy 21 and later the it was named after him.

Down syndrome is named after John Langdon Down, a doctor who first identified Down syndrome. He didn’t have Down syndrome, so it is not possessive (as in Down’s). Some countries still refer to “Down’s syndrome”, but in North America, we do not.

Down syndrome is not gereditary, it i a randomly occuring condition which affects on in seven hundred and eighty one.

There are three types of Down syndrome Trisomy 21, Translocation and Mosaicism. Of the three, translocation can be inherited. However, Translocation Down syndrome appears in just 2-3% of people who have Down syndrome, and just one third of those people inherit it.

In Canada, approximately 1 in every 781 live births results in a Down syndrome determination.

Having a child with Down syndrome is much like having any child. Children with Down syndrome are just like any other child and deserve support from their family.

Having a child with Down syndrome will affect everyone in your family: parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family. We encourage you to download 21 Welcomes, which includes 21 stories from self-advocates, parents, siblings, and grandparents about what it was like to welcome a baby with Down syndrome into their families.

As reported in the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, researchers found that in 87 percent of families they surveyed, everyone – parents and siblings – said they loved their family member who had Down syndrome, and almost as many families said they felt pride for the child.

There may be some added stress because of therapies and health concerns but all provinces in Canada offer support to families for this.

Scientists have not yet been able to create a test with 100% accuracy pertaining to the screening of Down syndrome as it occurs randomly.

There is a blood test available to screen for sensitivity to Down syndrome in a fetus. CDSS advocates for fair and balanced information about Down syndrome from doctors when giving a Down syndrome diagnosis. No test can truly be 100% accurate. Too often, claimed accuracy for sensitivity and specificity (99%) is confused for positive predictive value.

Colleges & Universities don’t discriminate, if someone is able to attend college and get good grades they can study anything they want.

There are many universities and colleges that have programs for people with Down syndrome to gain life skills and take classes with their typical peer group. Most of the time, these programs are called Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Programs.

No, Down syndrome and autism are entirely different. And just like anyone else the chances of developing autism are the same.

There are resources available for people who have this dual diagnosis available at Down Syndrome Resource Foundation

Babies born with Down syndrome are no larger, or smaller, than any other child.

The size of a baby with Down syndrome is not any different than any other child. There are other factors that determine if a newborn has Down syndrome. If a baby is suspected to have Down syndrome, they are given a blood test to see the number of chromosomes in the cells.

A baby may be underweight due to feeding issues; if you are concerned, speak to your doctor.

The statistical odds of an occurrence of Down syndrome is 1 in seven hundred and eighty one births.

In Canada, approximately 1 in every 781 live births results in a baby with Down syndrome. It is one of the most common developmental disabilities.

Down syndrome is a random occurrence in nature. It has no cure or prevention measures.

Down syndrome is not a disease, disorder, defect or medical condition and therefore does not require treatment, prevention or a cure. It is inappropriate and offensive to refer to people with Down syndrome as “afflicted with” or “suffering from” it. People with Down syndrome can go to speech or motor therapy, but this does not treat Down syndrome itself.

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition. The sole characteristic shared by all people with Down syndrome is the presence of extra genetic material associated with the 21st chromosome. This happens because of an error during cell division when the egg and sperm first meet. The effects of that extra genetic material vary greatly from individual to individual.

Today, a baby born with Down syndrome may have a life expectancy of over sixty years, but as with anyone else there is no definitive number.

The life expectancy of a person with Down syndrome continues to grow due to increases in services and supports available. Quality of life is a significant factor for this community; many people with Down syndrome are living beyond 60 years old.

This question is a misnomer, “trisomy” just means three chromosomes. Down syndrome occurs when there is a trisomy of chromosome number 21.

There are 3 types of Down syndrome Trisomy 21, Translocation and Mosaicism.

Trisomy 21 – 95% of people with Down syndrome have Trisomy 21, three copies of chromosome 21, instead of two, which occurs during cell division

Translocation – 2-3% of people with Down syndrome have a translocation pattern, Part of chromosome 21 breams off and attaches itself to another chromosome (often the chromosome 14), Two-thirds of translocation occurrences are spontaneous while the other third is inherited from a parent

Mosaicism – 2% of people with Down syndrome have Mosaic Down syndrome, Cell division occurs in one of the early cell divisions after conception, resulting in some cells having three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two, Like their peers, a person with Down syndrome has diverse abilities. An individual’s level of functioning is not dependent upon the determination of one of these types of Down syndrome.

Trisomy means three chromosomes, and twenty-one refers to the chromosome number, which has 3.

There are 3 types of Down syndrome Trisomy 21, Translocation and Mosaicism.

Trisomy 21 – 95% of people with Down syndrome have Trisomy 21, three copies of chromosome 21, instead of two, which occurs during cell division

Translocation – 2-3% of people with Down syndrome have a translocation pattern, Part of chromosome 21 breams off and attaches itself to another chromosome (often the chromosome 14), Two-thirds of translocation occurrences are spontaneous while the other third is inherited from a parent

Mosaicism – 2% of people with Down syndrome have Mosaic Down syndrome, Cell division occurs in one of the early cell divisions after conception, resulting in some cells having three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two, Like their peers, a person with Down syndrome has diverse abilities. An individual’s level of functioning is not dependent upon the determination of one of these types of Down syndrome.