Some facts about Down’s syndrome

  • Down’s syndrome is the most common form of learning disability - about 1 in 900 live births.Two babies with Down’s syndrome are born every day in the UK.
  • 80% of children with Down’s syndrome are born to women younger than 35.
  • It is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21. A baby born with Down’s syndrome thus has 3 of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two, making a total of 47 instead of 46 chromosomes. In the vast majority of children, every cell in the body will have this extra chromosome (this form of Down’s syndrome is called Trisomy 21). In a very small number of cases (1 –2%) only some of the cells will contain the extra chromosome – called Mosaic.
  • Although children with Down’s syndrome do share certain physical characteristics, these vary from child to child. Most importantly, each child inherits its own family looks / characteristics.
  • Children with Down’s syndrome vary as widely in their development as typically developing children and each has individual talents and aptitudes to be developed. Although Down’s syndrome is due to genetic factors, environmental factors & upbringing play a critical role in the children's development as for any child.
  • Children with Down’s syndrome have learning difficulties, but these can vary from mild to severe. At age five, the most able children are often functioning near an average level for their age whilst at the other end of the ability range; there are children with severe learning difficulties and/or additional problems such as autism or epilepsy.In general, most children with Down’s syndrome manage well in mainstream schools given additional support and differentiated activities when appropriate. They also benefit from being with typically developing peer groups who provide age appropriate models for speech and language and social skills.
  • As with many children, progress for children with Down’s syndrome is a continual but unsteady process continuing into adulthood where progress in learning new skills continues. Progress does not decline, as they get older; nor, as previously thought, do they plateau in their development. However, pupils with Down’s syndrome do develop more slowly than their peers, arriving at each stage of development at a later age and staying there for longer. The gap between pupils with Down’s syndrome and their peers thus widens with age.
  • Certain medical problems are more common in children with Down’s syndrome:

hearing impairment, visual impairment, respiratory problems, coughs, colds, lower immune system, thyroid disorder, 40-50% of babies are born with heart problems, coeliac disease.

  • People with Down’s syndrome are perfectly capable of forming all types of relationships with people they encounter in their lives, be it friendship, love or a dislike of someone.
  • People with Down’s syndrome are living longer. Approximate life span now is 60 - 70 years.

SENSS Down's Syndrome and Complex Needs Team - October 2016