12 Facts About Down Syndrome
Did you know that October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month?
It used to be that October meant Halloween. Or roasting marshmallows over a bon fire. Or sipping on new seasonal brews…
But now that we have been opened to the world of Down syndrome, we get to celebrate in the best way possible - by spreading love & awareness for those with an extra 21st chromosome! Keep reading for some of our favorite facts about Down syndrome.
Down syndrome was named for John Langdon Down. He was a British physician & was the first to classify the characteristics of Down syndrome in 1862.
Someone has Down syndrome when they have three copies of their 21st chromosome. This is why you see “321” used a lot when we advocate for those with the genetic condition.
It is not as uncommon as you many think. It is estimated that 5,000 children are born with Down syndrome in the U.S. alone.
Education is everything. Ever since the 1970s, public schools are required by law to provide a free and appropriate education to children with Down syndrome.
It is true that the likelihood of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome increases with maternal age, however, 80% of babies with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age because this age group gives birth most frequently.
In 1983, the average life expectancy of a person with Down syndrome was a mere 25-years-old. Today, it’s 60!
Most people with Down syndrome only have a mild to moderate intellectual disability. Some cases have severe difficulties, while those with Mosaic Down syndrome typically have IQ scores that are 10-30 points higher on average.
Trisomy 21 is only one type of Down syndrome, but it is the most common. With this type, each cell in the body has three seperate copies of the 21st chromosome, instead of two.
Translocation Down syndrome is the type that occurs when an extra part or a whole extra chromosome 21 is present, but it is attached or “trans-located” to a different chromosome rather than being a separate chromosome 21.
Mosaic Down syndrome is the least common type. For people with mosaic Down syndrome, some of their cells have 3 copies of chromosome 21, but other cells have the typical two copies of chromosome 21.
There are a lot of medical concerns associated with Down syndrome, but people with Down syndrome are actually at a much lower risk for melanoma and lung cancer.
Hypotonia is a very common characteristic of Down syndrome. It means they have low muscle tone, which cannot be helped, but they CAN increase muscle strength which is important for reaching milestones!