# data[].attributes.body
It is identified by "globaldownsyndrome.org as a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21.

# data[].attributes.body
Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is a genetic condition that occurs when there are three copies of chromosome 21 in an individual’s cells, rather than the typical two copies.  It results from an error that occurs following fertilization when cells begin to divide. The characteristics and features of Down syndrome are caused by the extra copy of chromosome 21 being in every cell in the body.

# data[].attributes.body
A handful of characteristics :

Delays in gross motor milestones including sitting, crawling, and walking

Decreased fine motor skills impacting independence with self-help skills

Delayed speech

Feeding difficulties which may include picky eating and/or swallowing difficulties

Difficulty with attention

Impulsive behavior

Difficulty with higher level decision making and organizational skills

Eyes with an upward slant

Low muscle tone

Short neck and small stature

Protruding tongue

Flat nasal bridge

# data[].attributes.headline
Identification Procedures and Service Delivery

# data[].attributes.subject
Identification Procedures and Service Delivery

# data[].attributes.body
Most students receive education at their local public or private school. Can be placed in class rooms with normal students or can be placed in special teaching classes depending on how severe the person with down syndrome actually is. Learning depends on how severe the person with Down syndrome is.

Diagnostic tests that can identify Down syndrome include:

1. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS). In CVS, cells are taken from the placenta and used to analyze the fetal chromosomes. ...

2. Amniocentesis. A sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus is withdrawn through a needle inserted into the mother's uterus.

# data[].attributes.body
Teachers may want to change assignments and/or the way information is delivered in class. Some adjustments are straightforward, such as allowing learners to record lessons instead of take notes, or extending time limits and reducing word count expectations. Others, such as creating a dialogue to consolidate learning or finding supplementary tools to help with memorization, need to be implemented by a teaching assistant or through special support sessions at the start or end of the school day.
Many children and adults with Down syndrome are visual learners and it can be helpful to include supplementary charts and spatial organizers alongside classroom handouts. They may also benefit from repetition, thus providing a list of key terms that can be rehearsed in a rote-learning program is important.

# data[].attributes.headline
Behavior Management and Social Strategies, Adaptations, or Accommodations

# data[].attributes.subject
Behavior Management and Social Strategies, Adaptations, or Accommodations

# data[].attributes.body
-Routine and structure are important for any child, but this is especially true for children with Down syndrome
-Positively reinforcing good behavior is a powerful motivation for children, and especially for children with DS. Rewards can take many forms. One form is promising something in order to persuade a child to perform a certain behavior you would like them to perform.
-Whenever possible, give your child a choice. This will help them feel empowered and it will also minimize negative behavior triggers. By allowing the child to choose between items you have already approved, you won’t have to force choices upon them.

# data[].attributes.body
1)
Mayo Clinic is an American nonprofit academic medical center currently based in three major locations: Rochester, Minnesota; Jacksonville, Florida; and Scottsdale, Arizona, focused on integrated patient care, education, and research.[6] It employs over 4,500 physicians and scientists, along with another 58,400 administrative and allied health staff.[7][8] The practice specializes in treating difficult cases through tertiary care and destination medicine.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Overview

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. This extra genetic material causes the developmental changes and physical features of Down syndrome.

Down syndrome varies in severity among individuals, causing lifelong intellectual disability and developmental delays. It's the most common genetic chromosomal disorder and cause of learning disabilities in children. It also commonly causes other medical abnormalities, including heart and gastrointestinal disorders.

Better understanding of Down syndrome and early interventions can greatly increase the quality of life for children and adults with this disorder and help them live fulfilling lives.

Symptoms

Each person with Down syndrome is an individual - intellectual and developmental problems may be mild, moderate or severe. Some people are healthy while others have significant health problems such as serious heart defects.

Children and adults with Down syndrome have distinct facial features. Though not all people with Down syndrome have the same features, some of the more common features include:

Flattened face

Small head

Short neck

Protruding tongue

Upward slanting eye lids (palpebral fissures)

Unusually shaped or small ears

Poor muscle tone

Broad, short hands with a single crease in the palm

Relatively short fingers and small hands and feet

Excessive flexibility

Tiny white spots on the colored part (iris) of the eye called Brushfield's spots

Short height

Infants with Down syndrome may be average size, but typically they grow slowly and remain shorter than other children the same age.

Intellectual disabilities

Most children with Down syndrome have mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Language is delayed, and both short and long-term memory is affected.

When to see a doctor

Children with Down syndrome usually are diagnosed before or at birth. However, if you have any questions regarding your pregnancy or your child's growth and development, talk with your doctor.

Causes

Human cells normally contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. One chromosome in each pair comes from your father, the other from your mother.

Down syndrome results when abnormal cell division involving chromosome 21 occurs. These cell division abnormalities result in an extra partial or full chromosome 21. This extra genetic material is responsible for the characteristic features and developmental problems of Down syndrome. Any one of three genetic variations can cause Down syndrome:

Trisomy 21. About 95 percent of the time, Down syndrome is caused by trisomy 21 - the person has three copies of chromosome 21, instead of the usual two copies, in all cells. This is caused by abnormal cell division during the development of the sperm cell or the egg cell.

Mosaic Down syndrome. In this rare form of Down syndrome, a person has only some cells with an extra copy of chromosome 21. This mosaic of normal and abnormal cells is caused by abnormal cell division after fertilization.

Translocation Down syndrome. Down syndrome can also occur when a portion of chromosome 21 becomes attached (translocated) onto another chromosome, before or at conception. These children have the usual two copies of chromosome 21, but they also have additional genetic material from chromosome 21 attached to another chromosome.

There are no known behavioral or environmental factors that cause Down syndrome.

Is it inherited?

Most of the time, Down syndrome isn't inherited. It's caused by a mistake in cell division during early development of the fetus.

Translocation Down syndrome can be passed from parent to child. However, only about 3 to 4 percent of children with Down syndrome have translocation and only some of them inherited it from one of their parents.

When balanced translocations are inherited, the mother or father has some rearranged genetic material from chromosome 21 on another chromosome, but no extra genetic material. This means he or she has no signs or symptoms of Down syndrome, but can pass an unbalanced translocation on to children, causing Down syndrome in the children.

Risk factors

Some parents have a greater risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. Risk factors include:

Advancing maternal age. A woman's chances of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome increase with age because older eggs have a greater risk of improper chromosome division. A woman's risk of conceiving a child with Down syndrome increases after 35 years of age. However, most children with Down syndrome are born to women under age 35 because younger women have far more babies.

Being carriers of the genetic translocation for Down syndrome. Both men and women can pass the genetic translocation for Down syndrome on to their children.

Having had one child with Down syndrome. Parents who have one child with Down syndrome and parents who have a translocation themselves are at an increased risk of having another child with Down syndrome. A genetic counselor can help parents assess the risk of having a second child with Down syndrome.

Complications

People with Down syndrome can have a variety of complications, some of which become more prominent as they get older. These complications can include:

Heart defects. About half the children with Down syndrome are born with some type of congenital heart defect. These heart problems can be life-threatening and may require surgery in early infancy.

Gastrointestinal (GI) defects. GI abnormalities occur in some children with Down syndrome and may include abnormalities of the intestines, esophagus, trachea and anus. The risk of developing digestive problems, such as GI blockage, heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux) or celiac disease, may be increased.

Immune disorders. Because of abnormalities in their immune systems, people with Down syndrome are at increased risk of developing autoimmune disorders, some forms of cancer, and infectious diseases, such as pneumonia.

Sleep apnea. Because of soft tissue and skeletal changes that lead to the obstruction of their airways, children and adults with Down syndrome are at greater risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

Obesity. People with Down syndrome have a greater tendency to be obese compared with the general population.

Spinal problems. Some people with Down syndrome may have a misalignment of the top two vertebrae in the neck (atlantoaxial instability). This condition puts them at risk of serious injury to the spinal cord from overextension of the neck.

Leukemia. Young children with Down syndrome have an increased risk of leukemia.

Dementia. People with Down syndrome have a greatly increased risk of dementia - signs and symptoms may begin around age 50. Having Down syndrome also increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Other problems. Down syndrome may also be associated with other health conditions, including endocrine problems, dental problems, seizures, ear infections, and hearing and vision problems.

For people with Down syndrome, getting routine medical care and treating issues when needed can help with maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Life expectancy

Life spans have increased dramatically for people with Down syndrome. Today, someone with Down syndrome can expect to live more than 60 years, depending on the severity of health problems.

Prevention

There's no way to prevent Down syndrome. If you're at high risk of having a child with Down syndrome or you already have one child with Down syndrome, you may want to consult a genetic counselor before becoming pregnant.

A genetic counselor can help you understand your chances of having a child with Down syndrome. He or she can also explain the prenatal tests that are available and help explain the pros and cons of testing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21.

# data[].attributes.body
2)
The main objective of the NCTE is to achieve planned and coordinated development of the teacher education system throughout the country, the regulation and proper maintenance of Norms and Standards in the teacher education system and for matters connected therewith

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Students with Down syndrome have strong visual learning modalities. Teaching reading to students with Down syndrome should be characterised by a strong emphasis on visual learning. Visual demonstrations, pictures and illustrations can also be successfully used to assist in providing effective instruction in other subject areas of the curriculum.

# data[].attributes.body
2)
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is an American organization that offers support to people with Down syndrome, their families, friends, teachers, and coworkers, and educates the general public about Down syndrome

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is Down Syndrome?

In every cell in the human body there is a nucleus, where genetic material is stored in genes. Genes carry the codes responsible for all of our inherited traits and are grouped along rod-like structures called chromosomes. Typically, the nucleus of each cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, half of which are inherited from each parent. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21.

This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm - although each person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees, or not at all.

How Common is Down Syndrome?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in every 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common chromosomal condition. About 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year.

When Was Down Syndrome Discovered?

For centuries, people with Down syndrome have been alluded to in art, literature and science. It wasn't until the late nineteenth century, however, that John Langdon Down, an English physician, published an accurate description of a person with Down syndrome. It was this scholarly work, published in 1866, that earned Down the recognition as the "father" of the syndrome. Although other people had previously recognized the characteristics of the syndrome, it was Down who described the condition as a distinct and separate entity.

In recent history, advances in medicine and science have enabled researchers to investigate the characteristics of people with Down syndrome. In 1959, the French physician Jérôme Lejeune identified Down syndrome as a chromosomal condition. Instead of the usual 46 chromosomes present in each cell, Lejeune observed 47 in the cells of individuals with Down syndrome. It was later determined that an extra partial or whole copy of chromosome 21 results in the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. In the year 2000, an international team of scientists successfully identified and catalogued each of the approximately 329 genes on chromosome 21. This accomplishment opened the door to great advances in Down syndrome research.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is Down Syndrome? | National Down Syndrome Society

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is Down Syndrome? In every cell in the human body there is a nucleus, where genetic material is stored in genes. Genes carry the codes responsible for all of our inherited traits and are grouped along rod-like structures called chromosomes.

# data[].attributes.body
3) Provides parents with stats and facts about Down syndrome so they will be better informed and prepared to handle a child with Down syndrome.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In recent years, Down syndrome has become more common, and children with Down syndrome are living longer. Read below for recent statistics on Down syndrome in the United States.
How many people are living with Down syndrome in the United States?
Babies:

Children and Adults:
What is the life expectancy for people with Down syndrome?

Many factors can affect how long a person with Down syndrome lives.

Sometimes infants with Down syndrome are born weighing less than 1,500 grams, or about 3.3 pounds. This is called "very low birth weight." These babies are 24 times more likely to die in the first 28 days of life compared to infants with Down syndrome of normal birth weight (between 2,500 grams and 4,000 grams, or between 5.5 and 8.8 pounds).
[Read summary ]

Black or African-American infants with Down syndrome have a lower chance of surviving beyond the first year of life compared with white infants with Down syndrome. More research is needed to help understand why.
[Read summary ]

Infants with Down syndrome who also had a congenital heart defect (CHD) were five times more likely to die in the first year of life compared to infants with Down syndrome who did not have a CHD.
[Read summary ]

What other health conditions affect people with Down syndrome?

About 50% of all babies born with Down syndrome are also born with a congenital heart defect. Babies with Down syndrome can be affected by a wide variety of heart defects. Many of these conditions will need surgery, while some milder heart defects might go away on their own as the child grows and may only need to be monitored by a healthcare provider.
[Read summary ]

Compared to children without Down syndrome, children with Down syndrome are at higher risk for:

Hearing loss (up to 75% may be affected)

Obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where a person's breathing temporarily stops while asleep (between 50 -75%)

Ear infections (between 50 -70% may be affected)

Eye diseases, like cataracts (up to 60%)

Eye issues requiring glasses (50%)

Heart defects present at birth (50%)

Intestinal blockage at birth requiring surgery (12%)

Hip dislocation (when the thigh bone slips out of the hip socket) (6%)

Thyroid disease (a problem with metabolism) (4-18%)

Anemia (red blood cells can't carry enough oxygen to the body) (3%)

Iron deficiency anemia (red blood cells don't have enough iron to carry oxygen to the body) (10%)

Leukemia (1%) in infancy or early childhood

Hirschsprung disease (an illness of the gut that can cause constipation) (<1%)This article includes the American Academy of Pediatrics Health Supervision for children with Down syndrome from 2011.
[Read summary ]
For more health care information for families of children with Down syndrome

What are the healthcare needs and costs for people with Down syndrome?

A study used data from the 2005-2006 National Survey of Children with Special Healthcare Needs (NSCSHN) to look at the effects of Down syndrome on families. Responses from the NSCSHN questionnaire indicated the following:

Nearly 60% of families of children with Down syndrome provided health care at home. Health care included practices such as changing bandages, care of feeding or breathing equipment, and giving medication and therapies.

Over 40% of families of children with Down syndrome had a family member who stopped working because of the child's condition.

About 40% reported the child's condition caused financial problems.
[Read summary ]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Data and Statistics on Down Syndrome | CDC

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Read recent statistics on Down syndrome in the United States.

# data[].attributes.body
1)
www.brighthubeducation.com is a website for educators that offers teaching strategies, activities, and lesson plans for early childhood, elementary school, and middle school.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Children with disabilities need special provisions in order to have a positive learning environment. It is possible for them to learn and be productive in school; they simply need to be in the correct environment and have access to the needed materials. In order to help children with Down Syndrome learn, teachers must obtain the proper teaching aides to achieve positive results.

What is Down Syndrome?

Down Syndrome is a well-known genetic disorder caused by a chromosome abnormality that occurs before birth. Typically babies have 46 chromosomes, but those with Down Syndrome are born with 47 chromosomes, which causes abnormal changes in the development of the child's body and brain. These children have very distinct characteristics. They are generally small, with a flat face and a tongue that sticks out. They do suffer from learning problems and most are classified as mildly or moderately disabled.

Down Syndrome and Learning

A child's placement in an educational program will vary based on their specific abilities. In some cases, children with Down Syndrome are mainstreamed into their local school's regular education program. Students with Down Syndrome are capable of learning but often require additional resources outside a traditional classroom. Many schools have classes for students with disabilities that may not do well learning in a standard environment. There are also special schools geared for people with disabilities. As a teacher, there are several strategies you can implement to help the child with Down Syndrome thrive.

Inclusion

Strive to make your classroom a place where each student, regardless of age or level of intellectual disability, feels part of the group and comfortable interacting with their other classmates. Encourage them to talk and interact positively with one another. Teaching them to feel comfortable in their environment helps to boost their confidence.

Self-Esteem

Due to the facial differences that children with Down Syndrome have it is important for them to feel attractive and proud of their appearance. Teaching them to feel good about themselves allows them to have a better attitude and feel special. Every girl wants to feel pretty and every boy wants to be handsome. Make sure you and your class make positive comments about their skills and appearance.

Distractions

Children with Down Syndrome generally suffer from a short attention span. They are easily distracted by the simplest things such as a light on the wall or a fly on the desk. In order to engage their learning capabilities it is important to break the lesson into chunks. They must be taught slowly and get frequent breaks in order to keep them focused. Be open to flexibility and change.

Talking

Children with Down Syndrome often have trouble talking clearly. It is important to practice talking clearly and coherently. Make sure to have them talk clearly and make sure to talk clearly to them. Pay attention to the word or phrases they have trouble conveying and encourage them to try and speak correctly.

References

Based on author's experience.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Strategies for Teaching Children with Down Syndrome in the Classroom and at Home

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Children with disabilities need special provisions in order to have a positive learning environment. It is possible for them to learn and be productive in school; they simply need to be in the correct environment and have access to the needed materials.

# data[].attributes.body
3)
The Primary Education Support Pack provides information to help primary schools meet the educational needs of children with Down’s syndrome. Although the support pack has been written for mainstream primary schools (the majority of children with Down’s syndrome attend their local school), the information within the pack can help staff supporting children in specialised primary schools equally well.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Primary Education Support Pack provides information to help primary schools meet the educational needs of children with Down's syndrome. Although the support pack has been written for mainstream primary schools (the majority of children with Down's syndrome attend their local school), the information within the pack can help staff supporting children in specialised primary schools equally well.

The support pack contains 10 units with information about the specific learning profile associated with having Down's syndrome, legislation and guidance, effective strategies for inclusion, developing language skills, accessing the curriculum, teaching reading, developing writing skills, learning mathematics and numeracy skills, promoting positive behaviour and social skills, successful transitions and using computers as an aid to learning.

The pack uses diagrams to illustrate models for successful inclusion, and colour pictures and photographs to demonstrate teaching methods and resources. Highlights include 'ICT essentials', examples of curriculum planning, using print and pictures to support remembering and language learning, ways to help children learn about number, maths language and skills for everyday living, and a unit about supporting transitions from pre-school to infant school, from infant to junior school and from primary to secondary school. The unit for promoting positive behaviour and social skills contains guidance in easy steps to help school staff and parents devise behaviour support plans. Each step is illustrated and the unit ends with case histories that put the principles into practice.

Download the Primary Education Support Pack as individual units or as a complete pack

Unit 1 Introduction

Unit 1b : Legislation and Guidance

Unit 2: Effective Strategies for Inclusion

Unit 3: Developing Language Skills

Unit 4: Accessing the Curriculum

Unit 5: Reading

Unit 6: Developing Writing Skills

Unit 7: Acquiring Mathematics and Numeracy Skills

Unit 8 : Promoting Positive Behaviour and Social Skills

Unit 9: Successful Transitions

Unit 10: Computers as an aid to learning

Secondary

The Secondary Education Support Pack builds on the structure of the Primary Support Pack with the addition of many more illustrations and practical examples to represent the varied needs of young people across the curriculum in a mainstream secondary school environment. All mainstream secondary schools should be able to meet the needs of the majority of young people with Down's syndrome. The Support Pack will help to enable schools to match the expectations of increasing numbers of young people with Down's syndrome to continue their education in their community school and the expectations of parents for schools to have the capacity to do this.

The units describe the learning profile associated with having Down's syndrome, legislation and guidance, strategies for inclusion, developing language skills, accessing the curriculum, teaching reading, developing writing skills, acquiring mathematics and numeracy skills, promoting positive behaviour and social skills, transition to secondary school, 14+ transition and onto Further Education, alternative accreditation at Key Stage 4 and computers as an aid to learning, with a unit dedicated to encouraging meaningful relationships and sex and relationships education. The 14+ transition planning unit includes a guide to Person Centred Planning and explains how to prepare for student centred transition reviews.

The Secondary Education Support Pack is a comprehensive and accessible resource for secondary schools educating students with Down's syndrome. The information will also help staff supporting students with Down's syndrome at special schools.

Download the Secondary Education Support Pack as individual units or as a complete pack.

Unit 1 : Introduction

Unit 1b: Legislation and Guidance

Unit 2 : Effective Strategies for Inclusion

Unit 3 : Developing Language Skills

Unit 4 : Accessing the Curriculum

Unit 5 : Reading

Unit 6 : Developing Writing Skills

Unit 7: Acquiring Mathematics and Numeracy Skills

Unit 8 : Promoting Positive Behaviour and Social Skills

Unit 9 : Transition to Secondary School

Unit 9b: 14+ Transition and onto Further Education

Unit 10 : Alternative Accreditation at Key Stage 4

Unit 11 : Computers as an aid to learning

Unit 12 : Relationships

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Primary Education Support Pack provides information to help primary schools meet the educational needs of children with Down's syndrome. Although the support pack has been written for mainstream primary schools (the majority of children with Down's syndrome attend their local school), the information within the pack can help staff supporting children in specialised primary schools equally well.