Down syndrome is a genetic condition where a child is born with an extra chromosome, usually chromosome 21. This extra genetic material causes delays in physical and cognitive development. Children with Down syndrome often have characteristic facial features and may experience various medical issues. Development is slower in areas such as language, motor skills, and cognitive abilities compared to typically developing children. Early childhood educators need to be aware of these delays and adapt programs, activities, and communication to support the individual needs and abilities of each child with Down syndrome.
13. An Overview of Developmental progress from 5-11years in Children with Down Syndrome http://www.down-syndrome.org/information/development/childhood/?page=3
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Editor's Notes
A graph from studies done in the UK explains how a child with down syndrome develops in many areas.
Children with Down syndrome often display forms of communication from infancy however, communicate by showing skills non- verbally. This includes using gestures to communicate as well as signs. When having a hearing impairment or being hard of hearing, it is found harder to communicate verbally as the sounds you hear may be different to what everyone else hears. Therefore language may be altered or harder to understand. For the 75% of children with Down syndrome who are diagnosed with ‘hard of hearing’ this is an obstacle in their development.
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