Maura Townsend

Mrs. Jankowski
English 12H
December 9, 2015
Down Syndrome
The S.M.I.L.E organization was founded in 2001, by Nina Fuller. This organization gives
children and adults with Down Syndrome a place to come together and work on basic skills.
Choosing to work with this organization was easy, it helps individuals understand that everyone
is privileged. People strive everyday to make lives of people with Down Syndrome easier and
normal. To fully understand Down Syndrome, one must understand the risk factors, common
treatments, and the journey throughout Down Syndrome itself.
Down Syndrome is a genetic condition that can be passed down. The name Down
Syndrome was named after John Langdon Down, a British Doctor who first described the
condition in 1887 (Shriver p4). Down Syndrome is a condition from a chromosomal defect
causing physical and mental abnormalities. Down Syndrome occurs when the genetic code has
47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. Symptoms for Down Syndrome can range from several
different things, including decreased or poor muscle tone, flat neck, and a flat facial profile
(Shriver p1). For children that are diagnosed with Down Syndrome, their development is slower
than kids without Down Syndrome.
If the baby has Down Syndrome, it does not mean its the end of the world. Down
Syndrome children are the most loving and playful children you will ever meet. Its common for
individuals to have struggles with their Down Syndrome child, but in every parent's case no

matter if the child has a disease or not, children are a lot of work. They key role for a parent is to
be loving and supportive of their children (WebMd p7).
Health issues are common with children with Down Syndrome; from the time they were
born until when they grow up. Approximately 40% of the children have congenital heart defects.
Some of the heart conditions require surgery and careful monitoring. The average life expectancy
for people with Down Syndrome is 60 years, but many are now living beyond that (NADS p8).
Risk factors for having babies with Down Syndrome increase with age because older eggs have a
better risk of improper chromosome division (Mayo Clinic p3).
Complications are a major factor with children with Down Syndrome. Some children
have an increased risk at getting Leukemia, dementia, and obesity ( Mayo Clinicp6). Caring
for kids with Down Syndrome you can experience a range of emotions including anger, fear, and
worry. There is no way to prevent having a child with Down Syndrome. Newer test have been
developed throughout time, to look in the mothers blood for the genetic material from the baby
(NADS p5).
There are several exams and test available to see if your baby has Down Syndrome.
There are two different types of test for birth defects, screening and diagnostic. The screening
test can show the chance of your baby having Down Syndrome, it cannot tell individuals forsure
if their baby has it. If the result test is positive, then that means that your baby has a higher risk
of having Down Syndrome (WebMD p2). The diagnostic test can tell you if the baby has
Down Syndrome, this test is personal, you have to think of several scenarios before going
through with this test.
There are three different kinds of Down Syndrome: Trisomy 21 accounts for 95% of
cases; Translocation accounts for 4%; and Mosaicism accounts for 1% (NDSS p1). Diagnosis is

usually identified at birth; but if the doctors are suspicious, they can do a chromosomal study.
Children and adults with Down Syndrome can work and learn like others, but have a harder and
slower time with it. They need more attention, such as one on one with the teacher. They have
developmental delays, and their personalities are sweet and loving. Sometimes children with
Down Syndrome get frustrated, but encouragement is a key role while working with Down
Syndrome kids (NADS p5).
Several parents asked themselves if their child will be able to attend school, or
how they will learn basic skills. It is good for the child to interact with other children with Down
Syndrome; by getting into school and learning basic skills will help them in the long run. The
first thing that is usually taught to the child is that their disability should not stop them, nor hold
them back. They need to be on a daily schedule; where they will remember what is next in the
sequence to their day. Making the kids challenge themselves is key (NDSS p6).
People with Down Syndrome do not want to be looked at by what they have, but
who they are. These people are not slowed down by their disease, instead they encourage
themselves to be the best they can be. People with Down Syndrome often have set jobs. Whether
its cleaning tables at restaurants, to taking tickets at the movie theater. They want to be
considered an equal to people without Down Syndrome (NDSS p3).
Studies have shown that people with Down Syndrome are not that much different
from us. They think about the same things we typical Americans do; who we are going to marry,
what we want to be when we grow up, and so on (NDSS p4). People with Down Syndrome can
be involved in sports if they would like. There are local sports teams that are specially for people
with Down Syndrome. Getting involved in a sport for the child with Down Syndrome may help
exercise their people skills. It will make them feel more comfortable in the long run, for being

around people that are like them. If people with Down Syndrome let their disease defeat them,
then thats a shame.
Throughout the journey with Down Syndrome, taking one step at a time is key. Being
patient and knowing risk factors helps in the long run. Meeting with the children at S.M.I.L.E on
Down Syndrome has opened my eyes big time. I have met so many awesome children and feel
like I have personally connected with one. Anna was diagnosed with Down Syndrome when she
was a baby. She lights up the room when she smiles and talks. Anytime we are together she asks
me to draw her a picture and to sign my name. It warms my heart knowing that Anna and I have
made a friendship so quickly. Choosing to work with S.M.I.L.E on Down Syndrome has been an
awesome experience. It has made me realized that I am privileged person and shouldnt take
anything for granted. I hope to continue to work with this organization even after I graduate high
school.

Works Cited

Diseases and Conditions Down Syndrome. Mayo Clinic Staff. 19 Apr 2014. Web. 9 Nov
2015.

Down Syndrome Facts. National Down Syndrome Society. n/d. Web. 9 Nov 2015.
Health Guide. New York Times 10 Dec 2015. Web 10 Dec 2015.
Shriver, Eunice. Common Treatments for Children With Down Syndrome. NIH.gov. 17 Jan
2014. Web. 2 Nov 2015.
What Increases Your Risk?. WebMD. 9 Sept 2014. Web. 9 Nov 2015.
What Is Down Syndrome. National Association For Down Syndrome. n/d. Web 9 2015.

IntroductionThesis- To fully understand Down Syndrome, one must understand the risk
factors, common treatments, and the journey throughout Down Syndrome itself.

I.
A.
1.
2.
3.

Down Syndrome
What Down Syndrome Is
Genetic condition that can be passed down
How you can get it
What causes it

B. How parents accept that their child has DS

1. Struggles with tantrums
2. How to discipline
3. How to cope
C. Health Issues
1. What complication come into factor with Down Syndrome
2. What risk their child is at
3. Ways to prevent further complications

II. Complications
A.
1.
2.
3.

Risk Factors
What other diseases you may get
Can develop cancer
What to do to prevent some risk factors

B. Exams/Test
1. Test can be ran to see if baby has down syndrome
2. What test is better to know for sure
3. 2 particular test
C. Different kinds of Down Syndrome
1. Trisomy
2. Translocation
3. Mosaicism

III. Questions one may ask oneself

A.
1.
2.
3.

Learning
How to teach your child
How they develop
How slowly they develop

B. People with DS are not much different from us

1. They think about the same things we do
2. Can have jobs
3. Can go to school
C. Journey Throughout DS
1. To accept who you are
2. Be patient
3. Love and care for them