My little boy is 2 years old and has Down Syndrome. How do I educate people about his disability?

Question

My son Geoffrey is 2 years old and has Down Syndrome. How do I get people to except him him the way he is?

Answer 1

The most important thing is to love your son and encourage him to do everything he can. People will always know that he is different, but more people understand Down's Syndrome now than in the past. There will always be some ignorant people who may say offensive things, but just treat them with compassion. As he gets older, the biggest problem will be other children, who will see that he is different from them and may tease him. You will have to be prepared to help them understand that though he is different, he is still a very special and caring person who can be a good friend.

Answer 2

My son is nearly 2 years old and also has Down Syndrome. I usually just mention it very matter-of-factly if the situation calls for it, or I don't mention it at all. When people start to show pity, I tell them thanks, but it's really not that bad. My son will do just about everything that any other kid would do, it just might take him longer. If they ask rude questions, I usually just say "I cannot believe you feel it appropriate to say that."

A couple of small points. If someone says something along the lines of "Oh, I see you have a Down Syndrome child" I will ALWAYS correct them and say "No, I have a child with Down Syndrome." He is a child first and foremost...and he just so happens to have an extra chromosome. He is no more defined by his genetic enhancement than another kid would be defined by having freckles!

Also, have you had people tell you that children with DS are ALWAYS happy??? I usually laugh and say "Yep...except when they aren't!" Our kids have every mood, emotion, reaction, etc as anyone else. Yes, I think kids with DS have something very special about them...but they are not really that different overall. And believe it or not....they have tempers too!

Sadly, there will always be jerks who say insensitive things and use the dreaded "R" word... but you have to ignore them and just be thankful that you were given this wonderful, special little son.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Honestly do not worry about other people and what is acceptable to them. Your son is the most important thing and your attention should go towards what is best for him. Other people need to be educated, true... but I would rather see him learning to explore his abilities within his disability. And that is something that you can help him to do. I used to work with down syndrome and autistic children and some people have preconcieved notions about this disability. You can not make people be accepting but you can do something to help children with this disability which can lead to a more productive and happy life for them. I can understand your thinking completely and your wish for a normal life for your son. But other people are not your family your son Geoffrey is. Put your energy that you would spend into making people accept him and spend it towards him.

Answer 4

My little girl has Downs. I know what you are going through. It is hard to educate people about something that you are new too and there is always something new. Educate yourself with the good the bad and the ugly of it. There are great services and support groups where parents can get togeher and share the experinces. Some people will be ignorant, some will be accepting, some will not know what to do and simply ignore it, others will not feel it matters. The most important thing I feel is to make sure you are his rock, his safe place, Please contact me anytime you like for questions or anything at all.

Answer 5

Sorry to hear that. My Aunt Patty has Downs Syndrome. She is going to be 51 yrs old and has had an excellent family to help her out. She was raised never to think that she was different from anybody else. I think the hardest part is going to be on you. Your son will probably not even notice the same things that are affecting you. Your hardest problem is going to be understanding that all dumb questions you are asked are not meant to be mean. Some people are just freaking idiots though. Good luck.

Answer 6

Don't talk about his disability talk about his abilities. If you raise your head up high and are just as proud of him as any mother should be people will accept him.

Downs Children are the most lovable children in the world, I read some where they are a blessing from god and have only intentions of pleasing you and those near they are sent to LOVE and be loved.

There are plenty pf positive people in this world with downs. If he belongs to a school toddler group their are childrens books on disabilities fun books to read (I'll look up some for you) them to his class and take the confusion away that he is like you an me! Always be open to answering questions and don't' let them see you frustrated.

bless You and Geoffrey!

Answer 7

My brother, now 39, has down's Synd. Growing up with him I always took him everywhere with me and taught people the signs they would need to know to communicate with him. I told them he was a special person that needed a little more attention sometimes (this coming from his little sister), but he could do the same things everyone else could do. Most of the time the younger kids caught on pretty quickly. If kids made fun or stared at him, I would march up to them and stare them down.

Basically, you can't force people to accept your son. You certainly can educate them about Down's by asking them what they know about it, and if thery have any question you can answer for them.
Be proud and he will be strong and proud too. People won't be having to "accept" him, they will be marveling at what a great little person he is

Answer 8

This a cruel world honey and your always going to have to defend/explain your child to ignorant people.My son is challenged and he gets looks all the time b/c his disability isn't something you can see.He's 16 and 6'2 ,but his mentality is that of a 10 year old.Just let your child know how special he is and maybe when unfeeling people say stupid things they'll just bounce right off him.Kudos to you for being such a caring mother.

Answer 9

Explain that every person is unique, and this is due to our seemingly limitless possible combinations of genes. Genes, or DNA , can cause some people to have curly hair, some people to be very tall, some people to have flat feet, or some people, such as your son, to have Down's Syndrome. Just like all people with curly hair are very unique inidividuals, with their own personalities and abilities, your son is not solely defined or limited by his Down's Syndrome. Down's Syndrome may make him appear like others with his same condition (like curly-haired people sometimes), but he has the opportunity to thrive, with the love and support of those around him. It is granted he will be more challenged by some life tasks, but you love him exactly how he is, and you hope others will be able to appreciate him, as well.

Answer 10

It is a very sad commentary when in the year of 2006, we still feel we have to explain about a challenge. I look the person straight in the eye and smile and continue on my way. People who are that ignorant (with the exception of children) do not deserve your time or trouble. Ignorance is one of the greatest disabilities in my opinion, not your son. My thoughts are with you!