What is Down Syndrome?
Submitted by Justin on Monday, 19 January 200923 Comments
What is Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that delays in physical and intellectual development. The condition varies in severity, so developmental problems may range from mild to serious.
Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of severe learning disabilities in children, occurring in one in every 800 infants. Every year, as many as 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the United States. The condition is named after John Langdon Down, the doctor who first identified the syndrome.
There’s no medical cure for this condition. But increased understanding of Down syndrome and early interventions make a big difference in the lives of both children and adults with Down syndrome.
- what causes down syndrome?
- down syndrome learning and development
- down syndrome health issues
- down syndrome pre-natal diagnosis
- down syndrome genetic testing
- down syndrome diagnostic tests
- down syndrome babies
- down syndrome children
- trisomy 21
- down syndrome pictures
- down syndrome symptoms
- mosaic down syndrome

Hello One and All…
I just want to share the good news that my family and I have been blessed with a beautiful blue-eyed blonde girl who is now eleven and was born with down syndrome. Her name is Elisabeth Anne, and she has been the joy of our lives! She is a delight to be around every day. She is very low maintenance and most of the time we don’t even know she’s around. She is never demanding of our time or of anything else for that matter. She is very eager to communicate and to learn. She goes to a nearby school for the deaf and the blind. We are very happy with her school for the most part. Her favorite things are… watching Barney and eating spaghetti. She loves going to church also. She likes to stay home. She’s definitely not a shopper like her mother. She has two brothers in their twenties who adore her. She is loved by all. She was also born healthy, so we’ve been blessed beyond measure. I did have to have her heart monitered for the first six months of her life since she was born with a hole in her heart. She’s also had several sets of tubes put in her ears. She is one happy gal who has taught us alot about love and getting along.
hi everyone i would just like to say that one of my best mates has DS and she is lovely and we have been mates for 5 yrs i thank people with DS are wonderful i think they are very gifted people.
Hello,
I have only today included an amazing little guy to my home day care setting. He is 14 months old. I knew I would want a safe and happy space for special needs to gather, as well as those without special needs. It is my passion to take my STNA
I am an aunt of a 7 yr old girl with down syndrome and I am really looking for forward to learning allot about children with down syndrome. I do have a question, I hope someone can answer me. There was a peom on here last week it was beautiful and I cant locate it. Does anyone know where I can find it? thank you
I am the father of a Down Syndrome teenager (13 yrs old). I found a way to educate people about Down Syndrome through a fictional thriller I wrote and published. I think people would enjoy the book and not realize they are learning about Down Syndrome. Check out my website LaffeyDownsBook.com
hey all i jus wanted to say the love of my life is my son who 7 months old this month an he has downsyndrome he is the greatest thing god could have given me at first i asked my sellf y this happened to me but now i no he was sent to me an i love him with every beat of my heart an wouldnt never change that hes the best thing to happen to me an my family we love him very much
i have a beatiful girl baby six months old.
She is very calm-she initilly had swallowing problem, we treated her and she now improved. She can move herself upside down.
makes sounds.
congratulations! I would love to hear more about her…maybe you would like to create a blog or post some photos on you album? the group is getting to be really cool and friendly…feel free to add friends from the members tab.
Justin
This give us a lot to think about. Your experiences help many families so please don’t ever be hesitant to share. That is what this site is for. As we continue to make progress, we will certainly let you know…In fact, would you consider creating and moderating a “potty training” group on this site. I have been thinking about it for a while but could really use some help from someone that the topic is very important to…
just a thought.
This is just true warmth I fee that parents that don’t share our experiences could never feel. Thanks for sharing.
Justin
How is your book going? Let me know, maybe I can give it some placement on the site.
Justin
Hi everyone, my name is joan and i have gorgeous 5 month old baby with down syndrome his name is Maximus. During my pregnancy I didn’t know anything so it was a big surprice but a beautiful surprice he is just the light of the when he smile i go crazy he makes my day.Thank u lord for my son thank u
I love that name…wonderful. thanks for finding the site and congratulations. I look forward to getting to know you better.
justin
hi everyone, i had a 5 months old baby who is affected with DS and now is no more he expired due cardio problem can you pls explain why this cardio prob arise after 5 months. he is not affected during his birth time. do this prob will arise at any time in his life time. kindly explain me
Manju,
It would probably be better to engage with members of the community by signing…Comments are a tough place to have this kind of discussion.
Justin
Hi,
I was blessed with the gift of two (2) Down Syndrome children born 4 years apart. Lauren is 8, will be 9 in January and Logan will be 5 in November. They are wonderful children, but every child has his/her moments. It takes a special individual/couple to parent children with DS. They require so much love, attention and patience, you have to be tireless in advocating for them in every setting. I am finding that I have a loud voice when it comes to standing up for my children. It is hard, but rewarding work. i just want to say to all parents that have or will have DS children: It’s a beautiful experience and you will grow so much as an individual by traveling on the less traveled path with your lovely children. I am now a single parent, and the road is hard at times, but those 2 little faces looking up at me every morning makes it all worthwhile.
Keep up this site, I loved reading all the comments.
Tamara
Tamara,
Thank you for you comments…They are inspiring and meaningful. We wish you the best on your journey.
Sincerely,
Justin
My parents are beginning the process of adopting a Down Syndrome boy from Mexico. His name is Julian and he’s three years old. My dad was reluctant at first to go through with the adoption. A few days ago, we found out that Julian was in the hospital because of pneumonia. Along with that, the CPS in Mexico wants to take him away from the orphanage he’s at right now. After my dad found out about this, he changed his attitude and agreed with my mom to go through with the adoption!
Pray that the adoption process will go smoothly and no problems. Also, Julian is doing much better but is still in the hospital.
Jessica
Hi my name is betty Iwas blessed with 2beautiful DS babies my oldest is 6 years old he was born on the 4th of july my youngest is going to be 4 months old they are the bestes gift that GOD has given me both of them are special in their own little way but you know what, i could of had 3 special DS kids but in the year of 2007 i lost a little girl with downs also.With me the story is that if i was to have another baby he/she would also be a downs also because i carry the extra chromosone in my egg sack and its always going to be a 99% that if i get pregnant my baby would be a DS baby so for right now i thank God for my 2 beautiful angels they always make every single day the best ever just to see their cute little faces every morning makes me a stronger mom to help them thru the path of life, i also have the bestest husband ever that helps me out, he is always holding on to our hands to never let go and always be there for us. Its nice to read all this beautiful stories keep it up
Thank you so much for sharing Betty. It sounds like you and your husband have your hands full but it also sounds like you have two great kiddos that will add wonderful texture to your life in the future. They are lucky to have parents as wonderful as you sound. Thanks for dropping by. I hope to get to know you and your family better over time.
Justin
My Wife is 30 weeks pregnant.We decided to have her tested for heredity Down Syndrome,her test shows her to be positive.she does not suffer or have any effects related to Down Syndrome.
What are the chances of our baby being born with down syndrome?
Thanks & Regards,
Gavin.
Encouraging all to give a “Thumbs UP to UP Syndrome.”
Hugs
http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Pearce-Down-Syndrome-Brother-of-Kevin-Pearce-1000000-Fan-Club/320349778530?v=wall&ref=mf
Hi, my names alexa. I am doing a project on down syndrome and i would like to know if anyone can give me any information about a child or a person they know having downsyndrome. It would be greatly appretiated.
you can email me at: bapper27@aim.com
or my friends email:lexmill2009@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Leave a comment!
Articles »
That which we do today will echo throughout the generations to come
One of our wonderful visitors wrote in asking for activities to do with a group of people to help them get an understanding of what it might be like to have Down syndrome. The activities included are great for parents to present to their child’s class, a teacher to present to their class, or even a student to present to their class as a project. We appreciate this educator’s commitment to making the world a better and more accommodating. Thank you for everything that you do.
Blogs »
Featured Blogs – The Ordinary Life of an Extraordinary Girl
I finally did it — I hid the gross, disgusting, ugly ,worn-out, fake crocs that Alex has been wearing every day for 2 1/2 years. It took a lot of guts – but I am proud of myself (at least for now).
When my kids were little, I thought it was sort of cute if they wanted to wear the same pair of jeans or shirt for more than two days in a row. However, Alex is 16 and these dreadful blue shoes have got to go. She should not have even worn them for two weeks in a row.
Many people I know with down syndrome have flat, wide feet. I am not sure exactly why that is – but as a result Alex has a funny step and walks with her feet pointed outwards. As with everything in her life, Alex has learned to compensate, and walking or even running – as evidenced by the fact we are going to participate in track and field at the National Olympic Games – is not a problem for her…
Books and Videos »
My Son Teddy
Hello everyone..I wanted to post a video of my son Teddy. It has a song that I love that makes me tear up every time. I wanted to kick this multimedia experience off by posting something of my own. I absolutely encourage you all to post your own pictures and videos. As the site grows it will become easier. Please enjoy ..
Education »
That which we do today will echo throughout the generations to come
One of our wonderful visitors wrote in asking for activities to do with a group of people to help them get an understanding of what it might be like to have Down syndrome. The activities included are great for parents to present to their child’s class, a teacher to present to their class, or even a student to present to their class as a project. We appreciate this educator’s commitment to making the world a better and more accommodating. Thank you for everything that you do.
Support Groups »
Long Island Buddy Walk – Alexander’s Angels – Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation
Let’s welcome the latest addition to the DownSyndrome.com team, Laura Suer. Laura has accepted a position as a participating volunteer and editorial staff member who will focus on partner outreach and strategy. She has been active on the site since its inception blogging at the URL tri21.downsyndrome.com. One of Laura’s first coups (I’m sure one of many) is to establish a relationship with Alexander’s Angels who runs the Long Island Buddy Walk and has a great future of providing much needed services to the constituents of Long Island.
Thank you Laura for bridging the relationship with such a wonderful organization. If you live in the Long Island area or if you have the inclination to help their wonderful support group, please consider providing assistance in the form of either volunteerism or financial support. Additionally, the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Fund has an online store that further supports important DS research that hopefully will benefit all of our loved ones in the future. Support for DSRTF can be in the form of purchasing items from the Down Syndrome Store.
What is Down Syndrome? »
What is Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that delays in physical and intellectual development. The condition varies in severity, so developmental problems may range from mild to serious.
Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of severe learning disabilities in children, occurring in one in every 800 infants. Every year, as many as 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the United States. The condition is named after John Langdon Down, the doctor who first identified the syndrome.
There’s no medical cure for this condition. But increased understanding of Down syndrome and early interventions make a big difference in the lives of both children and adults with Down syndrome.
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