Truths and Myths
Today there are still many misconceptions about Down syndrome and those who have it. This guide dispels some of the common myths about Down syndrome.
Myth
Down syndrome is a rare disorder.
Truth
Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition. One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, or approximately 6,000 births per year. Today, there are more than 400,000 people with Down syndrome living in the United States.
Myth
People with Down syndrome have a short life span.
Truth
Life expectancy for individuals with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent years, with the average life expectancy approaching that of peers without Down syndrome.
Myth
Down syndrome is hereditary and runs in families.
Truth
Down syndrome is hereditary in approximately 1% of all instances. In the other 99% of cases Down syndrome is completely random and the only known factor that increases the risk is the age of the mother (over 35). Translocation is the only type of Down syndrome known to have hereditary link. Translocation accounts for 3 to 4% of all cases of Down syndrome. Of those, one third (or 1% of all cases of Down syndrome) are hereditary.
Myth
Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents.
Truth
Most children with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35 years old simply because younger women have more children. However, the incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother.
Myth
People with Down syndrome have severe cognitive delays.
Truth
Most people with Down syndrome have cognitive delays that are mild to moderate. Children with Down syndrome fully participate in public and private educational programs. Educators and researchers are still discovering the full educational potential of people with Down syndrome.
Myth
Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized.
Truth
Today people with Down syndrome live at home with their families and are active participants in the educational, vocational, social, and recreational activities of the community. They are integrated into the regular education system and take part in sports, camping, music, art programs and all the other activities of their communities. People with Down syndrome are valued members of their families and their communities, contributing to society in a variety of ways.
Myth
Parents will not find community support in bringing up their child with Down syndrome.
Truth
In almost every community of the United States there are parent support groups and other community organizations directly involved in providing services to families of individuals with Down syndrome.
Myth
Children with Down syndrome must be placed in segregated special education programs.
Truth
Children with Down syndrome have been included in regular academic classrooms in schools across the country. In some instances they are integrated into specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the regular classroom for all subjects. The current trend in education is for full inclusion in the social and educational life of the community. Increasingly, individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school with regular diplomas, participate in post-secondary academic and college experiences and, in some cases, receive college degrees.
Myth
Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable.
Truth
Businesses are seeking adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions. They are being employed in small- and medium-sized offices: by banks, corporations, nursing homes, hotels and restaurants. They work in the music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, childcare, the sports field and in the computer industry to name a few.
Myth
People with Down syndrome are always happy.
Truth
People with Down syndrome have feelings just like everyone else in the population. They experience the full range of emotions. They respond to positive expressions of friendship and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior.
Myth
Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationships leading to marriage.
Truth
People with Down syndrome have meaningful friendships, date, socialize, form ongoing relationships and marry.
Myth
Down syndrome can never be cured.
Truth
Research on Down syndrome is making great strides in identifying the genes on chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Scientists now feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.
Information courtesy of the National Down Syndrome Society.
https://www.ndss.org/about-down-syndrome/down-syndrome/
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Legal and Financial Planning Workshop
Legal and Financial Planning Workshop for Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families
AAC Parent Support Group- November 18, 2023 10:00AM
Our AAC Parent Support Group seeks to connect parents of individuals using AAC to share successes and challenges, gather helpful ideas and resources, and empower families to support the development of successful communication skills for their AAC user. This group is free of charge and open to all. Feel free to share with others who may be interested!
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