| Much research has been done on the topic of a | | | | and a caring community. That being said, most |
| Down syndrome child's intellectual development during | | | | children with Down syndrome will not progress |
| childhood and into adulthood. It was formerly believed | | | | beyond the intellectual level of the average 6-8 year |
| that there were limits to the total of learning or | | | | old. It can take into adulthood to get there for many |
| development that could take place Down syndrome. | | | | of these adults. |
| It is now recognized that these people carry on | | | | Children with Down syndrome have differing levels of |
| development of reading, writing, speech, and social | | | | disability and learning, much like other children have, |
| skills throughout their lives. Research has revealed | | | | and comprehend swiftly that they require help from |
| that life circumstances either support, prevent, or | | | | other people for many things. As adults, they have |
| suffocate growth and development. | | | | the tendency to avoid situations they perceive they |
| In years past, Down syndrome was classified as a | | | | may experience failure in, allowing and even |
| degenerative disorder; this implies slowing of the | | | | demanding that other people to do these things for |
| learning process and eventually loss of previously | | | | them. |
| acquired skills. Yes, children having Down syndrome | | | | It becomes important for the people in their lives to |
| do show slower progress in all areas of development. | | | | encourage them to do things for themselves; only in |
| However, they do progress steadily and continue to | | | | this way will they in time learn and achieve more. |
| learn skills. | | | | Effectively, it looks as if only fear of failure causes |
| Development has been proven to be influenced by | | | | these children and adults to stop learning and |
| loving parents, inclusive education, effectual therapy, | | | | developing. |