October 30, 2017

by: Emily Hastings

Disability Spotlight: Down Syndrome

Each month we will feature a different disability represented at UCP of Greater Cleveland. Due to our name, many people think we only serve people with cerebral palsy, but we hope this series will help to dispel that myth. This month we are featuring Down syndrome because October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

• Down syndrome is a condition that occurs when a person has a full or partial copy of chromosome 21.
• There are three types of Down syndrome: trisomy 21 (nondisjunction), translocation and mosaicism. However, trisomy 21 is the most prevalent type with 95% of the cases.
• Down syndrome was “discovered” in 1866 by English physician John Langdon Down; others had recognized the characteristics of the syndrome, but John Langdon Down was the first to publish a scholarly article describing the condition.
• Down syndrome occurs in about one out of every 700 babies born in the United States, which means Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the U.S.
• Common physical features of a person with Down syndrome include: a flattened face (especially the bridge of the nose); almond-shaped eyes that slant up; small ears, hands and feet; shorter stature; and a tongue that might stick out of the mouth.
• Common health problems for people with Down syndrome include: hearing loss (up to 75% may be affected); obstructive sleep apnea (50 -75%); ear infections (50 -70%); and eye issues such as cataracts or needing to wear glasses (up to 60%).
• Although people with Down syndrome might act and/ or look similar, it is important to remember that each person has different abilities.
• Although there is no cure for Down syndrome, therapy services such as physical, occupational and speech-language therapies can help a child with Down syndrome improve their physical, intellectual, social and communication abilities. Just like with many other developmental disabilities, early intervention is key for children with Down syndrome.

Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/downsyndrome.html
• National Down Syndrome Society – http://www.ndss.org/

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