Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by a third copy of chromosome 21. It is characterized by mild to moderate intellectual disabilities as well as physical traits like an upward slant to the eyes. Life expectancy for those with Down Syndrome has increased dramatically, from around age 9 in 1929 to over 55 today. While it causes lifelong impacts, those with Down Syndrome can lead fulfilling lives with support, including holding jobs and sometimes living independently.

1. Down
Syndrome
Mariah Bronson

2. What is Down Syndrome?
 Chromosomal disorder (Nielson, 2010)
 Nonjunction created three copies of chromosome 21
 Also referred to as Trisomy 21
 Confirmed through chromosomal test
 Most prevalent of all chromosomal disorders
 Characteristics include (Nielson, 2010):
 Speech and hearing impairments
 Upward slanting of the eyes
 Heart and gastrointestinal defects

3. A Little History…
 1866- The identified syndrome was first published
(“downsyndrome.com”, 2011)
 Credited to English physician John Langdon Down
 Noting what he considered similar facial features between
these clients and the Mongolians, he referred to these
people as “mongoloids”
 1959- Discovery of Down Syndrome as a chromosomal
abnormality (“downsyndrome.com, 2011)
 Credited to French physician Jerome Lejeune

4. A Childhood with Down
Syndrome
 The average age expectancy for a child with down
syndrome in just 1929 was age 9
 Now it is common for an individual to live until age 55 or
beyond (Schoenstadt, 2009)
 The IQ range of a child with
Down Syndrome ranges from
between a 30-80 average
(Nielsen, 2011)
 Yet some are rated as high as
120
 Cases range from moderate to severe
 Many programs now exist to promote the success of
these youngsters

5. Education Needs
 A protected class under IDEA (Scott, 2012)
 Guaranteed appropriate education from age 3-21
 Down Syndrome students show all signs of being heavily
visual and kinesthetic learners (Nielson, 2011)
 Poor short term memory also common
 visual and kinesthetic teaching methods help to overcome this
 The Buddy System (Nielson, 2011)
 The Down Syndrome student is placed with a classmate
generally well liked by the student population
 This „buddy‟ plays a crucial role in the Down Syndrome student
making meaningful relationships with others

6. Down Syndrome as an Adult
 The average age expectancy for a child with down
syndrome in just 1929 was 9 years of age
 Thanks to modern medicine, it is common for person with
Down Syndrome to live until age 55 or beyond
(Schoenstadt, 2009)
 A generation of Down Syndrome
children are now able to reach well
into adulthood- what happens
beyond their public school
education?

7. Down Syndrome as an Adult
 Not only are they living longer, but also fuller and more
meaningful lives (Schoenstadt, 2009)
 Many develop the skills to hold a job
and live semi-independant lives
 Not uncommon to marry
 Dementia and Alzheimer‟s Disease (Schoenstadt, 2009)
 Often strikes before the age of 40
 A touching look into the lives of adults with Down
Syndrome (Sullivan, 2012)
 http://youtu.be/VMnY5578YQ0

8. Works Cited
downsyndrome.com. (2011, Jan 14). Retrieved from
http://downsyndrome.com/history-of-down-syndrome/
Nielsen, L. B. (2010). Brief reference of student disabilities --with
strategies for the classroom. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Pr.
Schoenstadt, A. (2009, March 6). emedtv. Retrieved from http://down-
syndrome.emedtv.com/down-syndrome/adults-with-down-
syndrome.html
Scott, C. I. (2012, February ). kidshealth.org. Retrieved from
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/genetic/down_syndrome.html
Sullivan, A. (Producer) (2012, May 14). What would you do?. What
Would You Do?. [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMnY5578YQ0