Posted by: Carmen N.
Original Post Date: Monday, January 7, 2013
Even today, in a time of great medical and technological advances, there are still a great deal of misconceptions and myths associated with different types of disorders and those who have them. Here we will help dispel some of the most common myths about Down Syndrome.
First, what is down syndrome?
(Resources: www.ndss.org, www.dsaco.net, www.dsau.org, www.dsawa.asn.au)
Original Post Date: Monday, January 7, 2013
Even today, in a time of great medical and technological advances, there are still a great deal of misconceptions and myths associated with different types of disorders and those who have them. Here we will help dispel some of the most common myths about Down Syndrome.
First, what is down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by an error in cell division that results in an extra 21st chromosome which causes delays in intellectual and physical development that range from mild to moderate disabilities.
MYTH: Down syndrome is hereditary and runs in families.
FACT: Down syndrome is hereditary in approximately 1% of all instances. In the other 99% of cases down syndrome is completely random.
MYTH: Most children with down syndrome are born to older parents.
FACT: Most children with down syndrome (about 75% - 80%) are born to women younger than 35 years of age simply due to higher fertility rates in younger women. However, the incidence of births of children with down syndrome increases with the age of the mother.
MYTH: Down syndrome is not treatable.
FACT: While there is no cure for down syndrome, there are many treatments available for the challenges associated with down syndrome such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
MYTH: All individuals with down syndrome have severe mental retardation.
FACT: Individuals with down syndrome usually have cognitive development profiles indicative of mild to moderate mental retardation. However, cognitive development in children with down syndrome is quite variable. Children with down syndrome often have a speech delay and require speech therapy to assist with expressive language.
MYTH: People with down syndrome will need to live at home with their parents for the rest of their lives.
FACT: Although many with the condition experience developmental delays, a large percentage of adults with down syndrome are capable of living semi-independently with varying levels of support. It is not uncommon for those with down syndrome to attend school and become active, working members of their community.
MYTH: Individuals with down syndrome die at a young age.
FACT: The average life expectancy of an individual with down syndrome is now 55 years of age. Many live to be 60 - 70 years old.
MYTH: Most children with down syndrome are born to older parents.
FACT: Most children with down syndrome (about 75% - 80%) are born to women younger than 35 years of age simply due to higher fertility rates in younger women. However, the incidence of births of children with down syndrome increases with the age of the mother.
MYTH: Down syndrome is not treatable.
FACT: While there is no cure for down syndrome, there are many treatments available for the challenges associated with down syndrome such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
MYTH: All individuals with down syndrome have severe mental retardation.
FACT: Individuals with down syndrome usually have cognitive development profiles indicative of mild to moderate mental retardation. However, cognitive development in children with down syndrome is quite variable. Children with down syndrome often have a speech delay and require speech therapy to assist with expressive language.
MYTH: People with down syndrome will need to live at home with their parents for the rest of their lives.
FACT: Although many with the condition experience developmental delays, a large percentage of adults with down syndrome are capable of living semi-independently with varying levels of support. It is not uncommon for those with down syndrome to attend school and become active, working members of their community.
MYTH: Individuals with down syndrome die at a young age.
FACT: The average life expectancy of an individual with down syndrome is now 55 years of age. Many live to be 60 - 70 years old.
(Resources: www.ndss.org, www.dsaco.net, www.dsau.org, www.dsawa.asn.au)
No comments:
Post a Comment