The cause of Down Syndrome is an extra X chromosome that affects the information that determines development of the fetus. There are many degrees of Down Syndrome. Some babies are very cognitive and their facial deformity is very mild. Others are severely deformed and have major health issues. These issues will affect the individual’s chances of living a fairly normal life or one that requires a great deal of assistance from others.

While we know what causes Down Syndrome, science and technology have not yet developed a way to prevent it from occurring. However, some research indicates that women who don’t get enough folic acid in their bodies. This has lead to doctors encouraging women to take their prenatal vitamins every day, even if they feel energized during their pregnancy.

Any child has the potential of being born with Down Syndrome. The risk is much higher if either parent has a history of it in their families. The risk is higher if the family already has one child with Down Syndrome or if the parents are older than 35 years of age. Blood testing done during pregnancy can identify the extra chromosome that causes Down Syndrome before the baby is born.

The use of prenatal screenings to identify Down Syndrome as been highly debated. This is because the birth defect is not considered life threatening to the parent or fetus. However, many parents make the choice to have an abortion if the fetus tests positive for Down Syndrome. Since the issue of abortion is well debated already, this adds another segment to it.

However, the medical field is strongly for the testing of Down Syndrome. They believe it gives parents the opportunity to make an informed choice. If they choose to have the baby, they can start preparing for the events that are going to take place. They can start getting information and setting up assistance programs for their child. They can also start getting counseling so that they are prepared to take care of their child with Down Syndrome from the moment their child arrives.

Most children with Down Syndrome lead a fairly normal life, depending on the severity of their birth defect. They may require special assistance with learning basic education skills including reading, writing, and math, but they are able to function well in a social environment. Children with Down Syndrome are able to dress themselves, walk, and be toilet trained. Most the time though these traditional milestones are delayed from a few months up to one year.

Most states have funding for early intervention programs to assist children with Down Syndrome. This is important because the first few years of life are when many essential skills are developed. These programs also focus on helping parents and siblings learn to cope with having a Down Syndrome individual as part of their family. These programs have lead many children with Down Syndrome to grow up being happy, healthy members of society.

Children with Down Syndrome are taught to take care of themselves like any other child. The goal is for them to be able to grow up and have a career to support themselves. While some individuals with Down Syndrome do marry, many of them live in group homes. It depends on their mental capacity and their ability to care for themselves.

Most women with Down Syndrome have a hard time getting pregnant. An individual with Down Syndrome has a 50% chance of having a baby with the genetic disorder as well. Adults with Down Syndrome have a very high risk of early Alzheimer’s Disease as well.

Having a child with Down Syndrome can seem devastating at first, but be assured with your support and the various assistance available, they will likely grow up to be a productive member of society. They will have a life full of fun, love, and memories to share as they get older. They will also have the opportunity to go to school, join sports, and have a career. The possibilities are there, just as they are for any child with or without a birth defect.

The most recognizable characteristic of Down Syndrome is the facial deformity. The eyes are somewhat slanted and the ears fold over on the top instead of laying flat. Most people with Down Syndrome have an average size tongue, but they have very small lips and mouth so the tongue appears to be large in proportion. Shortness in the hands, fingers, and neck is common as well. The nose may appear to be flatter than normal.

Mental impairment is a common characteristic of Down Syndrome. The cognitive brain processes are affected so learning basic skills can be difficult such as reading and writing. There are often issues related to hearing and vision with Down Syndrome. Heart problems are a large concern as well. It is believed only 10% of children with Down Syndrome have learning disabilities that can’t be overcome with the proper assistance. However, if they suffer from vision loss and hearing loss then the learning process will be more difficult.

Individuals with Down Syndrome appear to be very happy. They love to physically touch and embrace other people. They are friendly and outgoing. In fact, Down Syndrome is one birth defect where those affected seem to gravitate towards other people rather than have low self esteem because of their birth defect. They tend to have magnetic personalities that make others feel very comfortable around them.

The idea that individuals with Down Syndrome are low functioning is not accurate. While a small percentage of those affects are, the majority of people with Down Syndrome function as well as the rest of us in society. They work, go grocery shopping, pay their bills, cook dinner, and all the other daily activities we engage in. They also go out on dates and to the movies. As our society continues to be more educated about Down Syndrome the opportunities for those affected continue to grow.

It is very important that these parents get the financial and emotional support they need so that they can be there for their child. It is essential that they also get the information and the education they need to meet the needs of their special needs child. This can be accomplished with the help of Federal and state programs, trainings, websites that offer information, support groups, and access to medical attention they need for their child.

Some special needs children have physical disabilities and others have mental challenges. There are children with both. Often, medical needs accompany one or both of these areas, increasing the amount of care the special needs child has. It is very important to get early intervention because children learn so much starting at birth. The goal is to identify the child’s disabilities and acknowledge what they can do. The parent and caregivers are responsible for encouraging the child to do all they can in spite of their special needs.

Other special needs children aren’t so fortunate. They may be bound to a wheelchair and unable to feed themselves. The more special needs a child has the harder it is for the parents and the more intervention and support they need. Caring for a special needs child can consume their entire life if others don’t step in and lend a hand.

The majority of special needs children are born with their disability. It can be the result of a birth defect or even due to drug and alcohol abuse. However, there are many special needs children who develop a disability later in life. This can be the result of an accident or a disease that doesn’t develop until later in life.

Our society has become more accepting of children with special needs. Depending on their ability they are able to attend regular schools and to interact socially with other children. It is important that any special needs child is given the opportunity to overcome their limitations and achieve any goals or dreams they have for themselves.

Schools have aids to assist children with disabilities including Down Syndrome. They can often be in regular classes but may need special one on one attention to help them grasp the concepts. Children with Down Syndrome often struggle to keep up with the fast pace of most school curriculums.

Many families experience stress with the arrival of a baby with Down Syndrome. It is very important that they become educated in the assistance available to their family and where to find it. Counseling and support groups for the entire family are very helpful. This is a great way to help your family express their anger, fears, and concerns with having an individual with Down Syndrome in the family. Counseling can make the family bond much stronger than before.

Since over half of those with Down Syndrome experience heart troubles, adequate medical attention is essential. This can lead to financial difficulties for the family. There are Federal and state programs to help with the medical needs of children affected by Down Syndrome. They may also be eligible for Social Security Income, known as SSI. This is a monthly financial payment to the family from the Federal government. Those eligible for SSI are automatically eligible for medical coverage as well.

There are many wonderful organizations out there to help families affected by Down Syndrome. Some like the March of Dimes work to continue research to prevent future cases of Down Syndrome. Others including the National Down Syndrome Society work to provide information and referrals for support to families. The efforts of these programs, along with the assistance of dedicated parents, and an educated society have lead to many great opportunities for those with Down Syndrome.

Having a child with Down Syndrome can be disappointing, but with the right information and assistance, you and your family can learn to adjust to the changes. Most individuals with Down Syndrome are still able to live a normal, happy life if they have had an opportunity to learn basic skills and get an education if they get the help they need early in life.