Facts

What You Need To Know About Down Syndrome

FIRST, A LITTLE BACKGROUND

Down syndrome was discovered by Dr. Langdon Down in 1866
It is a chromosomal anomaly, or mix-up, in the genetic blue-print that occurs at conception
Individuals with Down Syndrome have an extra #21 chromosome
Approximately 1 in every 691 babies live births in BC is a child with Down syndrome

WHAT DOWN SYNDROME LOOKS LIKE

Children with Down Syndrome have some physical, intellectual, and emotional developmental delays
Children with Down Syndrome may also have other medical conditions
Physical characteristics may include almond-shaped eyes, a single palmar crease on one, or both hands, and small facial features
Down syndrome is not related to race, religion or socio-economic status

GETTING TO KNOW INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Children with Down Syndrome actually share more similarities than differences with other children – they learn, laugh, play, and want friends.

Individuals with Down Syndrome benefit from loving parents, early medical and educational attention and positive public attitudes.
Children with Down Syndrome have a full complement of emotions and attitudes, are creative and imaginative in play and pranks, and grow up to live independent lives with varying degrees of support and accommodations needed.

On standard IQ tests, children with Down Syndrome most often score in the mild to moderate range of mental handicap. These tests do not measure many important areas of intelligence, and one will often be surprised by the memory, insight, creativity, and cleverness of the child with Down Syndrome.

Young people with Down Syndrome have dreams and the determination to reach their goals. They learn in regular classrooms in their neighborhood schools with the children who will one day be their co-workers, neighbors, and adult friends. Young adults hold diverse and meaningful jobs, maintain their own households and make significant contributions to their communities.

Early intervention, through IDP worker and parents, benefit a child with Down Syndrome, as does speech and language therapy.
Academic intelligence is not the only measure of a person’s worth – qualities such as happiness, honesty, friendliness, determination and a free-spirited attitude to life help break through social and personal prejudices, opening doors to full membership in society.

THE NUMBERS

under 30	less than 1 in 1,000
30	1 in 900
35	1 in 400
36	1 in 300
37	1 in 230
38	1 in 180
39	1 in 135
40	1 in 105
41	1 in 60
44	1 in 35
46	1 in 20
48	1 in 16
49	1 in 12

15.8/10,000 live births from 2005 to 2013 in Canada was a child with Down Syndrome
74 children were born with Down Syndrome in BC in 2000. (Vital Statistics-Victoria)
80% of children with Down Syndrome are born to mothers under the age of 35
Congenital heart problems may occur in many children and require prompt medical attention
Infants and adults are prone to hypothyroid conditions and require testing
17% of individuals with Down Syndrome have an atlanto-axial gap requiring x-raying at about 3 years of age (They may require physical restrictions)

Living with Down Syndrome and Dementia: Symptoms, Challenges, and Coping Strategies

It is estimated that more than 564,000 Canadians are currently living with dementia and that over 1.1 million Canadians are directly or indirectly affected by it. Sadly, people with Down Syndrome are more likely to develop dementia, with over half likely to do so as they age.

What is dementia?

Caused by the degeneration of brain cells, ‘dementia’ refers to the decline in someone’s mental capabilities, to the extent that it significantly affects their day-to-day life. This often means that patients need full-time help with everyday activities.

There are different types of dementia – the two most common types being Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. People with Down Syndrome are particularly susceptible to developing Alzheimer’s disease. The risk of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age and, due to the relatively short life expectancy of people with Down Syndrome, they are more likely to develop it at an earlier age than others.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

The symptoms of dementia vary greatly. These may include noticeable problems with memory and language, a shift in behavior, mood and/or thinking skills, and difficulty paying attention. Symptoms often progress relatively quickly from their initial stages.

What treatment is available for dementia?

There is no cure for dementia. Medications are available to ease symptoms in the short-term, but none have been recommended for people with Down Syndrome. At present, advances in treatment very much depend on research into dementia and patient involvement in clinical studies.

I’m caring for someone with dementia. How do I cope?

For loved ones in particular, looking after patients suffering from dementia can be very challenging and mentally draining. It can be daunting and upsetting to see someone close to you losing their cognitive abilities and struggling to communicate. People with dementia can be left feeling frustrated and isolated. Their behavior can also become quite erratic, and sometimes aggressive, which can be hard to deal with.

For caregivers, there are strategies that you can use to help you cope with the challenges of dementia effectively. These include speaking slowly and clearly, involving dementia patients in engaging activities, having a routine and being as positive as possible towards the patient.