What are the characteristics of down syndrome?

Question

How do we train children with down syndrom? do they lag academically?

Answer 1

Characteristics
There are over 50 clinical signs of Down syndrome, but it is rare to find all or even most of them in one person. Some common characteristics include:

Poor muscle tone
Slanting eyes with folds of skin at the inner corners (called epicanthal folds)
Hyperflexibility (excessive ability to extend the joints)
Short, broad hands with a single crease across the palm on one or both hands
Broad feet with short toes
Flat bridge of the nose
Short, low-set ears
Short neck
Small head
Small oral cavity
Short, high-pitched cries in infancy
Individuals with Down syndrome are usually smaller than their non-disabled peers, and their physical as well as intellectual development is slower.

Besides having a distinct physical appearance, children with Down syndrome frequently have specific health-related problems. A lowered resistance to infection makes these children more prone to respiratory problems. Visual problems such as crossed eyes and far- or nearsightedness are higher in those with Down syndrome, as are mild to moderate hearing loss and speech difficulty.

Approximately one third of babies born with Down syndrome have heart defects, most of which are now successfully correctable. Some individuals are born with gastrointestinal tract problems that can be surgically corrected.

Some people with Down syndrome also may have a condition known as Atlantoaxial Instability, a misalignment of the top two vertebrae of the neck. This condition makes these individuals more prone to injury if they participate in activities which overextend or flex the neck. Parents are urged to have their child examined by a physician to determine whether or not their child should be restricted from sports and activities which place stress on the neck. Although this misalignment is a potentially serious condition, proper diagnosis can help prevent serious injury.



hope this helps...

Answer 2

I love "HELP"'s answer it was very thorough.

One thing I didn't see was that the cause is a specif genetic difference - having an extra chromosome.

Each person with Down's is different. In terms of intellectual or academic development and achievement they can go from the rare case of being severely handicapped and having difficulty with basic selfcare skills all the way to scoring well on intelligence tests and being able to finish highschool and support themself as an adult.

Children with Down's should be evaluated and recieveing specific intervention from an early age (before elementary school) The pediatrician dcan recommend where to seek early intervention services which may include therapists and specialists coming to the child's home to work with the child and train the parents. Early intervention and stimunlation of infants and preschoolers can have a real positive impact lifelong!

When in school in the U.S. the child will have a specific learning plan designed by parents and specialists (IEP) which will be followed by the school and changed as needed over the years. This way the classroom teacher has specific info and goals to work with and gets to know the child quickly. Depending on their specifis needs, kids with downs may be in a "regular" classroom all or some of the time, or placed with a specially trained teacher in a smaller class with more one - on - one attention available.

I don't wish to offend anyone with overgeneralizations but the following is from my personal experience:
The people I know with Down's all have a very stubbornly positive attitude about life and a joy and innocent sense of fun that is contageous. They are very "down to earth" and confused if other children are afraid of them because they look a little different or talk funny. The more people get to know them and accept them as valuable members of our society, the happier we'll all be!

Answer 3

I've often found that children or adults with down syndrome are limited by what we (parents, adults, or teachers) perceive as their limits. You teach, love, and nurture a child with down syndrome just the way you do any other child with a disability. Sometimes the progress is measured in small increments, sometimes it takes much repetition or multiple modalities. Patience is a must. While children with down syndrome can learn to read, write, and do their math, there will most likely be a point at which they plateau. Each child is different; down syndrome affects everyone at different levels.My brother is 40 years old and has down syndrome; that doesn't mean he stops learning. He probably reads on a first grade level, but we encourage him to continue reading functionally in his environment (reading recipes, writing grocery lists & shopping, reading the TV guide). He still continues to surprise us with his growth. They are special, wonderful, loving people and teach us about compassion, patience, and love as much as we teach them.

Answer 4

"Training" is an outdated old fashioned and somewhat offensive term to describe people with Down's Syndrome. It makes them sound like animals.

People with Down's Syndrome have the capacity to learn, as does any child. The level to which their individual education can progress is totally dependent upon their individual capabilities and the skills of their teachers.

The most important approach, again as with any child, depends upon the approach and stimulation avaiable in the early months and years, which usually means the parents or primary carers have a vital role in helping their child to progress. There is some specialist help out there in early years teams and specialist health services as well as charitable organisations. Availability of these services of course depends upon where you live and the provisions made by health and social services, and later educational services.

There is no "one size fits all" approach when working with people with any kind of Learning Disability, and I'm saying that with 25 years experience of working in this field.

Answer 5

I worked as support for learning assistant for 4years with a boy who has downs. He did lag academically, but worked hard at everything he did, he could read as well as some of the other kids in his support set class. He played the piano he could read music. But He left school at level B in Math and English. He enjoyed all his classes, he was accepted into mainstream and loved it.

Short clear instructions. Patience, something you will need a lot of. I had to be firm as he was very head strong and could be really stubborn. Most of all EMPATHY.

Answer 6

When babies are first born you can tell they have downs syndrome because their eyes will slant upwards and outwards, the tounge seems to big for the mouth, low birth weight and slow weight gain, flatter back of the head and only a sing crease running across the palm of the hand, also reduced muscle tone!

Hope that helped xxx

Answer 7

Children with Down Syndrome can learn. The are developmentally delayed but just like anyone else, work with the child and he or she will learn. Have alot of patience. If this is your child or a child you work with keep talking to him or her. Learning is a long process.

Answer 8

my four year old grandson has downs syndrome.....ty to all the positive comments from answerers...........i do not train my grandson........i teach him and love him

one thing you all forgot to mention is that downs children are more likely to get leukaemia at some stage in their life............my grandson is going through chemotherapy right now because of this

Answer 9

Try this site

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome

Answer 10

Window licking