| Down syndrome or DS affects approximately one | | | | retardation, although many are capable of learning |
| out of every eight hundred babies that are born. It is | | | | skills throughout their lives. Many are also born with |
| a condition that is caused by a genetic abnormality | | | | vision and hearing problems as well. |
| inside the child's body and can lead to a number of | | | | If you have a child who suffers from Down |
| complications. To fully understand exactly what DS is, | | | | syndrome, you should enroll him in intervention |
| you need to first understand this abnormality. | | | | programs as soon as possible. There are a number of |
| In a normal baby, genetic information is transmitted in | | | | therapists and specialists that can help him learn to |
| the form of chromosomes. There are forty six total | | | | crawl, walk, and speak. When he reaches school age, |
| sets, with twenty three coming from the mother and | | | | they can also help you to decide the best educational |
| twenty three coming from the father. In babies that | | | | program for him. Some DS children need to attend |
| have Down syndrome, there is an extra set of these | | | | special classes or schools while others are capable of |
| chromosomes, boosting the total to forty seven. | | | | attending classes with children who do not have DS. |
| While the cause for this addition is unknown, a | | | | As these youngsters grow up, many can live |
| woman's age can increase the chances of her giving | | | | semi-independently and often have jobs while others |
| birth to a baby with DS. Women over thirty five are | | | | have even finished college. |
| especially at high risk and should be tested during | | | | In the past, many children who had DS never |
| pregnancy to detect any fetal abnormalities. | | | | reached adulthood. Today, depending on the |
| Once a child is born, the doctor can usually diagnose | | | | seriousness of their various medical conditions, many |
| Down syndrome immediately by looking at the child's | | | | Down syndrome sufferers are now living well into |
| appearance. DS children tend to have slanted eyes, | | | | their fifties. As medical science keeps making |
| small ears, a flat face, a large tongue, and a single | | | | advances, this age continues to rise as well. |
| crease that runs along the center of their palms. | | | | If you have a child who suffers from Down |
| Their muscles and joints also appear to be less | | | | syndrome, there is plenty of support and help to be |
| developed and they seem to be less rigid than a | | | | found in coping with the situation. Again, many of |
| normal child. | | | | these children live full and happy lives. When spending |
| As well as appearance, there are some medical | | | | time with these children, you may also come to |
| conditions that are also common in children suffering | | | | realize that they are some of the most loving and |
| from Down syndrome. Many of these infants have | | | | caring youngsters that you could ever meet that |
| difficulty eating normally and have heart murmurs and | | | | bring joy and laughter to anyone that they |
| other cardiovascular problems. Most of these | | | | encounter. They really are "God's special children. |
| youngsters also suffer from mild to severe | | | | |