How do you deal with a person with down syndrome?

Question

My friend Kimberly needs help in dealing with her friend who has down syndrome.

Answer 1

With love and compassion as you would with any other human being!

Answer 2

You are a little vague in your question. The most appropriate answer is you deal with them like anyone else. If the person with DS is doing sometime wrong or inappropriate, I would hope Kimberly would simply talk to them openly and explain the situation, just like you would with any friend. Or is it Kimberly having the problem?? Is she uncomfortable or does she feel awkward with her friend? If so than she needs to figure out why she has these feelings.

Answer 3

There should be support groups for her. I am sure her friend's family would be appreciative if she came and talked to them about better understanding her disability. It's not a matter of "dealing" with someone, it's learning to understand them and their disability. Remember the person who has the disability did not ask to be disabled, therefore it is our job to learn to understand and become knowledgable on whatever the disability may be, or you can choose to be ignorant. I am sure too if you did a search under Down's Syndrome, your friend could probably learn a lot, and maybe even learn how she could volunteer her time for more people with a disability, like the special olympics, etc...Autism, Down's Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, are all examples of disabilities. Never think of learning about someone's disability is having to "deal" with it, because from their end, I guess you could say they have to learn to deal with us as well.

Answer 4

Children with Downs Syndrome have no fear of strangers and will walk up to and talk to almost anyone. They will hug and kiss complete strangers. This could be a problem. They do not understand that there are people in this world who will harm them. Tell Kimberley that she must look out for her friend at all times and treat the friend kindly, with sympathy but with no pity. They do not understand pity. As they grow older, some develop to a level where they are able to 'look after' themselves but it is a hard, long road. Help her out yourself and give Kimberley a break now and again. Good luck and God bless...........

Answer 5

i am a mom with a child with down syndrome and i wish that everyone would appreciate the gift god has gave them (intelligence) and be more passionate to others needs, and take the time to smile or say hello instead of stare, maybe your friend should go volunteer in some youth groups or something,, then she or he will see the world thru real life glasses, and be thankful for everything and everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Be loving, understanding and patient. Also, don't take the tantrums or outbursts personally. Depending on the severity of DS, the person may not be able to maturely or rationally deal with their emotions.

Answer 7

Like she treats everyone else. I am also a mom of a child with DS and yes I want people to help my son when needed but I also don't want anyone to treat him any different. I want for him to have true friendships with honest people who like him for who he is. So tell your friend to just be a friend.

Answer 8

She needs to treat her friend like she would treat anyone else...except with a little more patience and compassion. Although if we all treated each other with more patience and compassion, no matter our mental disabilities, our world would be a way better place!

Answer 9

Be compassionate with them. My cousin is autistic i know its not the same but they were at a family reunion and everyone was being jerks to them and my family was just like wow how could you be this immature to someone who has a problem.

Answer 10

It depends on what you mean by "dealing with".

Q. How do you treat a person with a disability?

A. Like a person.

Answer 11

I doubt your friend is capable of "dealing" with a person ith downs syndrome.
Does this person have a caretaker??
What necessarily does she have to deal with?