My 8-year-old asked "what is Downs Syndrome?" What would you say?

Question

My son was watching Eastenders last night and the characters were talking about the baby having Downs Syndrome and he asked me what it was. I really didn't know what to tell him.

I am not ignorant and I do know what Downs Syndrome is, contrary to what some of the answers on here would suggest. I asked an innocent question and just wondered how other people would have dealt with it. I explained it as best I could to my son who seemed to understand. I was just looking for a little help and seem to have received a little abuse!

Answer 1

Down syndrome (also Down's syndrome) or trisomy 21 is a genetic condition resulting from the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. Down syndrome is characterized by a combination of major and minor abnormalities of body structure and function. Among features present in nearly all cases are impairment of learning and physical growth, and a recognizable facial appearance usually identified at birth. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British doctor who first described it in 1866.

Answer 2

I think it's great that the program opened up this dialogue with your son. My son is 2 years old and has Down syndrome. I think what I would like for your child to understand is that it is something a child is born with and that it doesn't make them bad, just a little bit different. Children with Down syndrome do just about everything that other children do, it just sometimes takes them a little longer to learn how to do them. It is important to tell him that Down syndrome doesn't hurt and that it is not an illness or disease...he cannot "catch" it by playing with a child who has it. Children with Down syndrome often have issues with low muscle tone, which can result in some speech delays and things so they see special people called therapists who help them.

Although I don't get Eastenders here in the States anymore, I assume that some of the reactions of the people in the story are those of grief and sadness. You could tell your son that when a mommy and daddy are going to have a baby, they never really expect that the child will be different. When they found out about the Down syndrome, it made them sad. They didn't know what the child would be able to do, but you can tell your son that families who have a child with DS quickly learn to see the things that the child CAN do and pretty soon they see that it really isn't too bad.

You have a golden opportunity here to give you son a lesson in compassion and acceptance and I applaud you for asking this question. If he grows up to accept people with disabilities rather than pity them, then we all benefit. I hope the parents of the children who meet my son are as willing to talk with them as you are!

Answer 3

Be honest and open about what it is, my 6 year old knows what it is, shielding your child from truth is only denying them knowledge that will make then understand and accept the world. A child is never too young for the truth, though sometimes we can be a little more poetic with how we tell it so that we still maintain some level of protection of your child. A more aware child can be more accepting, I was four when my mam took me to the centre where she worked and I encountered there young adults with a variety of conditions and disabilities - it didnt harm me, you could never meet such an amazing and loving group of kids who loved me and fussed over me. Children should learn to see the person and not the disability. Its the same with any truth, children are people and though we can give them a diluted version of truth it is still better than a lie!

Answer 4

Well
You could say that it is a condition that some babies are born with that makes the babies a little different
How much you say depends on what level your son is at.
You could say that they may have some difficultly learning things in school, and that their eyes will look a little different.
But you could also emphasize that people with down syndrome are often very high functioning, very loving and kind and generous.
However some people with down syndrome have problems with their hearts which makes them more likely to die early.
If your son is mature enough you could discuss how some parents choose to have an abortion because of the likelihood of problems whilst some others do not see down syndrome as being a complete negative.

Answer 5

My four year old grandson has Downs Syndrome. It makes him very special. Visit this site with your son and it will help you to explain to him
http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/

Try also to explain that Downs people are not stupid, they just have different abilities to other people. My grandsons biggest gift is his fantastic sense of humour and the ability to make people smile.

My grandson was also diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this year......are we bitter? NO.
My one concern with your question is that you allow your eight year old son to watch Eastenders.........not all you see on that show is true to life......certainly not the way Honey had to tell Billy about their daughters disability...it does not happen like that in truth. Full blown genetic testing is required before any diagnosis........in our case it was four days before we had confirmation.

Love from a very happy Grandma who wouldn't swop a her grandson for a trillion zillion pounds!! :)

'Discover' you are an ignorant person.........go look at the link above and educate yourself......love from a not so happy Grandma :(

SUE K............I was not refering to you as an ignorant person, I think your a far from it by asking this very sensitive question. The ignorant person i was refering to is called 'DISCOVER' I strongly object to the word ''mongoloid''

Answer 6

My son is 5 and where he goes to school his bus lets off right behind the "special kids". He asked what was wrong with them. I told him that some times things happen before they are born and it's kinda like they never grow up. They will be in "grown up" bodies but some have the "mind of his little sister". I also had to work with him on that cause he had been trying to hit his baby sister in the head cause she hit him. He hasn't touched his sister in a mean way since cause (his words) "she has to grow up and give me a neice" Sooo "Uncle" John understands that even though they look like grown ups that they are really like his sister. I said there are some wonderful people who have problems and listed some of our friends kids. I am also lucky enough to have enough friends that work in group homes for these people. They are mostly sweet and friendly. Make sure you son understands this. When I was 6 I went to Disney World and a group of women in the restroom wanted to hug me. I didn't know what was going on and my mom never explained it til I was older. Teach your children now to be loving and patient with these babies and adults who have special needs. In my freshman yr of hs I had a feild trip to the school for the handicapped. So this is something that I've been around all my life and can be understanding.

Answer 7

I myself have a daughter with Downs Syndrome. first I must tell you it`s not a disease or an illness as you can not catch anything from them. It is a chromosome disorder.
the easiest way to explain is that
Downs Syndrome children look a bit different to us because they are smaller, have more of a round face and small stubby hands. They are slower at learning but should manage most things we do.

Answer 8

Down syndrome (also Down's syndrome) or trisomy 21 is a genetic condition resulting from the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. Down syndrome is characterized by a combination of major and minor abnormalities of body structure and function. Among features present in nearly all cases are impairment of learning and physical growth, and a recognizable facial appearance usually identified at birth. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British doctor who first described it in 1866.

Individuals with Down syndrome have lower than average cognitive ability, normally ranging from mild to moderate retardation. Some individuals may have overall average intelligence, but generally will present with some amount of developmental disability such as a tendency toward concrete thinking or naivete. There is also a small number of individuals with Down syndrome with severe to profound mental retardation. The incidence of Down syndrome is estimated at 1 per 800 to 1 per 1000 births.

The common physical features of Down syndrome also appear in people with a standard set of chromosomes. They include a simian crease (a single crease across one or both palms), almond shaped eyes, shorter limbs, speech impairment, and enlarged tongue. In addition, health concerns for individuals with Down syndrome include a higher risk for congenital heart defects, gastroesophageal reflux disease, recurrent ear infections, obstructive sleep apnea, and thyroid dysfunctions.

Early childhood intervention, screening for common problems, medical treatment where indicated, a conducive family environment, and vocational training can improve the overall development of children with Down syndrome. While some of the genetic limitations of Down Syndrome cannot be overcome, education and proper care can produce progress whatever the starting point

Answer 9

I would just tell him the truth and explain in way that a 8 year would understand, if you are uncomfortable in explaining it to him find information and pictures that will help you. Obviously he want's to know, or he would not have asked you, honesty is the best policy where children are concerned as they understand more than we give them credit for.

Answer 10

You tell the truth in a positive way and so they will develop with a positive attitude to anyone who is different, as my daughter was 14 when she found out she has a incurable hormone problem and she looks fine to the outside world but has major problems and my 2 granddaughters treat their auntie in a positive way as they have been told the truth.