This document provides information about Down Syndrome through defining what it is, possible causes, identifying characteristics, teaching strategies, statistics, and family resources. Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder where chromosome 21 is abnormal, causing mental and physical impairments. It can be caused by factors like advanced maternal age or genetics. People with Down Syndrome often have distinctive physical traits and experience delays in areas like language and speech development. The document discusses individualized education approaches like speech therapy, technology use, small group instruction, and praise-based behavior management as effective strategies. It provides statistics on Down Syndrome occurrences and life expectancy increases. Finally, it lists local family support resources.

2. 
By the end of this presentation, the goal
is to gain a basic understanding of Down
Syndrome through:
› What Downs Syndrome Is
› Possible Causes of Downs
› How to Identify It
› Some Teaching Strategies
› A Few Interesting Statistics
› Family/Community Resources

3. Look at this picture of a young student. What do you notice about her? What is it
that is “different”? Why do you think that is? How would you approach teaching
her? Keep this in mind moving forward.

4. A chromosomal disorder in
which the pairing of
chromosome 21 has either an
extra partial or full
chromosome attached to it,
making it no longer 23 pairs.
This causes mental and
physical impairments.
Although the cause of Downs
is still relatively unknown, a
couple of things are believed
to contribute to it.
Getting pregnant after age
35
Genetics (although rare)
Having 1 child with Downs
already
This image
shows the
abnormal
pairing of
chromosome
21.

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Short stature
Round face
Almond-shaped eyes
Upward slanting eyes
Decreased muscle tone
Short neck w/ extra skin
on back of neck
Brushfield spots
Wide short hands w/
short fingers
Deep groove between
first and second toe
Single, deep crease
along palm of hand
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Short attention span
Poor judgment
Impulsive behavior
Slow learning
Delayed language
development
Delayed speech
development

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The teachers consult with the special education teacher and
generally have an aide in the classroom with them.
The students were involved in speech therapy, occupational
therapy, and physical therapy for “treatment”.
In the classrooms computer and technology are a key tool used.
Peer tutors and group teaching proved to be effective.
Individual instruction is much more effective than large group.
Most effective place of instruction is the student's desk area.
The best education materials are hands-on & "real-life" scenarios.
Praise is the best behavior management tool/ motivator.
Keeping the educators educated about Downs is the MOST
important strategy of all!

7. 
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There are three types of Downs:
Nondisjunction (95%),
Translocation (4%), Mosaicism
(1%).
Downs Syndrome occurs in 1 of
every 8 infants; roughly 6,000
children born with downs each
year.
Life expectancy has
dramatically increased from 25
years of age, to 60 years of age.
About 85% of infants diagnosed
with Down Syndrome will survive
one year, and only 50% of those
will live for 50+ years.

8. Angels Forever Up
(Waldorf, MD)
240-412-1922
www.angelsforeverup.org
Down Syndrome Network of
Montgomery County
(Rockville, MD)
301-979-1112
www.dsnmc.org
Chesapeake Down Syndrome
Parent Group, Inc.
(Baltimore, MD)
410-321-5434
www.cdspg.org
Down Syndrome Connection: AACO
(Arnold, MD)
888-279-2279
www.downsyndromeconnection.com

9. 
Now that you are aware of what Down
Syndrome is, consider the following:
› How has your view of those with Down
Syndrome changed?
› What did you learn?
› How will you apply this to your life and/ or
your classroom?

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American Pregnancy Association. (2014). Down Syndrome: Trisomy 21. Retrieved
from American Pregnancy Assocication: http://
americanpregnancy.org/birthdefects/downsyndrome.html
Global Down Syndrome Foundation. (2011). Facts and FAQ About Down
Syndrome. Retrieved from Global Down Syndrome Foundation:
http://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/about-down-syndrome/facts-about-down-syndrom
facts
National Down Syndrome Society. (2012). What Is Down Syndrome? Retrieved
from National Down Syndrome Society:
http://www.ndss.og/Down-Syndrome/What-Is-Down-Syndrome/
National Institute of Health. (2012, November 30). What are the common
symptoms of down sydrome? Retrieved from National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development:
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/down/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.as
px
Wolpert, G. (2001). What general educators have to say about successfully
including students with down syndrome in their classes. Journal of Research in
Childhood Education, 16(1), 28-38. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.aacc.edu/login?
url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/203877315?accountid=40680