| Parents of children with Down syndrome are flooded | | | | retardation. Early intervention and skill assessment is |
| with a barrage of emotions. They may experience | | | | the key to relating to the child on terms he or she |
| disappointment, anger, grief, frustration, fear and | | | | can relate with. For example, often concrete |
| anxiety. Mothers over the age 35, who have a higher | | | | concepts are more easily understood than abstract |
| chance of having a baby with Down syndrome, may | | | | ideas. Step-by-step teaching and providing consistent |
| experience guilt or self-blame. | | | | feedback are two techniques that can help the |
| These feelings naturally come up, which is why | | | | developmentally disabled. |
| establishing a support network is important for new | | | | In the past, Down syndrome children went to |
| parents. Talking with others who've been through the | | | | separate schools or were home-schooled. Now, the |
| same challenges will offer inspiration and ensure the | | | | mainstreaming of these children is proving effective |
| best possible upbringing for the developmentally | | | | at decreasing the emotional gap between children |
| disabled child. | | | | with this chromosomal disorder and those without. In |
| Children with this chromosomal disorder will have | | | | countries like Denmark or Germany, a two-teacher |
| tribulations early on. Parents should be aware of the | | | | approach allows these kids to observe and be |
| special-care needs for babies with Down syndrome | | | | exposed to others, while focusing on their special |
| as early as possible, to prepare themselves for the | | | | needs. |
| challenges that lie ahead. Some babies require | | | | There are certain health risks for children with Down |
| medication to address a heart defect, while others | | | | syndrome. About half of all Down syndrome babies |
| require physical therapy sessions to help develop | | | | are born with congenital heart defects and 60% |
| better muscle tone and coordination. | | | | suffer an eye disease, including cataracts (15%) and |
| Some syndrome babies have a difficult time learning | | | | the need for corrective glasses or contact lenses |
| to breastfeed at first, which is sometimes related to | | | | (50%). Nearly 75% suffer hearing loss, sleep apnea |
| stomach or intestinal blockages. Eye, ear, nose, | | | | and persistent ear infections. Other problems include |
| throat and thyroid problems are not uncommon, as is | | | | thyroid disease (15%), gastrointestinal atresias (12%) |
| late teething. The main thing to keep in mind is that | | | | and acquired hip dislocation (6%). |
| the baby will eventually get there, but patience and | | | | Less than 1% of all cases report leukemia or |
| offering loving support are critical to the child's | | | | Hirschsprung disease. Over time, adults with Down |
| development. | | | | syndrome may suffer respiratory infections, heart |
| The educational needs for children with Down | | | | disease, surgery for bowel obstruction or cataracts, |
| syndrome vary, depending on the degree of mental | | | | hearing loss, epilepsy and osteoarthritis. |