About Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs in approximately one in every 800 to 1,000 live births. It affects people of all ages, races and economic levels and is the most frequently occurring chromosomal abnormality.

Down Syndrome occurs when there are three, rather than two, of the 21st chromosomes present in every cell of the body. Instead of the usual 46 chromosomes, a person with Down Syndrome has 47. It is this additional genetic material that alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down Syndrome.

Down Syndrome affects over 350,000 people in the United States alone. Recent advances in our understanding of Down Syndrome have resulted in dramatic improvements in the life span and potential of those who are affected.

For more information about Down Syndrome, visit The National Down Syndrome Society's web site at www.ndss.org.

Myth: Down syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.

Truth: Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition. One in every 800 to 1,000 live births is a child with Down syndrome, representing approximately 5,000 births per year in the United States alone. Today, Down syndrome affects more than 350,000 people in the United States.

Myth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents.

Truth: Eighty percent of children born with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35years-old. However, as a woman ages, her chance of conceiving a child with Down syndrome becomes greater.

Myth: People with Down syndrome are severely retarded.

Truth: Most people with Down syndrome have IQS that fall in the mild to moderate range of retardation. Children with Down syndrome are definitely educable, and educators and researchers are still discovering the full educational potential of people with Down syndrome.

Myth: Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized.

Truth: Today people with Down syndrome live at home with their families and are active participants in the educational, vocational, social and recreational activities of the community. They are integrated into the regular education system, and take part in sports, camping, music, art programs, and all the other activities of their communities. In addition, they are socializing with people with and without disabilities, and as adults are obtaining employment and living in group homes and other independent housing arrangements.

Myth: Parents will not find community support in bringing up their child with Down syndrome.

Truth: In almost every community of the United States there are parent support groups and other community organizations directly involved in providing services to families of individuals with Down syndrome.

Myth: Children with Down syndrome must be placed in segregated special education programs.

Truth: Children with Down syndrome have been included in typical academic classrooms in schools across the country. In some instances they are integrated into specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the regular classroom for all subjects. The degree of main streaming is based on the abilities of the individual; but the trend is for full inclusion in the social and educational life of the community.

Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable.

Truth: Businesses are seeking young adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions. They are being employed in small and medium sized offices: by banks, corporations, nursing homes, hotels and restaurants. They work in the music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, and in the computer industry. People with Down syndrome bring to their jobs enthusiasm, reliability and dedication.

Myth: People with Down syndrome are always happy.

Truth: People with Down syndrome have a wide range of feelings just like everyone else. They respond to positive expressions of friendship, and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior.

Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form relationships leading to marriage.

Truth: People with Down syndrome date, socialize and form on-going relationships. Some get married. Women with Down syndrome can and do have children, and there is a 50 percent chance that their child will have Down syndrome. Although rare, men with Down syndrome can father children.

Myth: Down syndrome is untreatable.

Truth: Through early intervention, speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, it is possible to improve many of the problems associated with Down syndrome. In addition, research on Down syndrome is making great strides in identifying the genes on chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Scientists now feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct, or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.

© National Down Syndrome Society 1999

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