Today is the last day to recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
You can download a free printed copy of the Down syndrome fact sheet, providing information on the types, prevalence, definition, signs and symptoms, and teaching strategies. Further information includes a list of Down syndrome organizations and foundations.
Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by an extra cell division that results in an extra 21st chromosome. This causes developmental delays both intellectually and physically. The disorder is named after John Langdon Down, a British physician who was the first to describe the syndrome in 1866. The disorder was later identified by Jerome LeJeune in 1959 as a condition associated by the chromosome structure. Down syndrome is the most common chromosome disorder. Each year, about 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome.
An estimate of 1 in 700 babies born. The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome increased between 1960 and 2007. In 1960, an average person with Down syndrome lived to be 10 years old compared to 2007 with people with Down syndrome living to 47 years of age. Often, people born with Down syndrome may develop health issues and a cognitive development ranging from mild to severe. There is often a speech delay and children may lag behind with fine and gross motor skills. Physical characteristics may include a flat nasal bridge, single, deep creases across the center of the palm, protruding tongue, large space between the large and second toe, low muscle tone, almond shape to the eyes.
The causes of Down syndrome is due to an extra copy of chromosome 21 in every cell. This is the most common form of Down syndrome. It represents 94% of all cases of Down syndrome. Congenital heart failure affects 300,000 or 40% of individuals with Down syndrome. There are 3 types:
Congenital Heart Disease can range from severe to mild. Typically, students do not require special care. For those with more severe heart issues, be aware of the signs and symptoms of a student heart disease is getting worse. This include:
Signs and symptoms include:
Things to be aware of in students with Heart Issues:
Tires easily or becomes short of breath after exercise
May have exercise restrictions
May need extra time to go and from classes
Obesity is a major health concern and is more common in individuals with Down syndrome than the general population. Obesity is defined as excessive fact accumulation that increases health risk. It is an abnormal accumulation of body fact usually 20% of a person’s ideal body weight.
Medical complications of obesity includes sleep apnea, lung disease, pancreatitis, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, inflamed veins and gout. When the body mass increases, so does the risk of having a heart attack or heart failure.
In a study published by the American Association Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities found a difference between studies on children versus adults with Down syndrome. Children with Down syndrome have consistently been found to exhibit a reduced resting metabolic rate meaning children with Down syndrome are at a great risk for weight gain since they will burn fewer calories. at rest during activities.
Children with Down syndrome also tend to have a condition known as hypothyroidism. Approximately 10 percent of children with Down syndrome have hypothyroidism. As children with Down syndrome get older, eating behaviors change leading to obesity (Approximately 30%). These changes may be due to low muscle tone or inactivity due to thyroid problems or heart conditions.
Exercise and recreation are crucial to the well-being of individuals with Down syndrome. The following are strategies for helping to maintain weight control and to live longer and healthier lives:
Reference
Chicoine, B. and McGuire, B. (2010). The Guide to Good Health for Teen and Adults with Down Syndrome. Bethesda, MD
Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (Edefines a physical or mental impairment as any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.
5 important classroom accommodations for children with autism
12 accommodations and modifications for dyslexic children in public school
20 modifications for students with autism
21 school accommodations available for children with special needs
504 plan: ADHD accommodations to manage ADHD symptoms at school
A 504 plan for those with dyslexia
A parents guide to section 504
Accommodations and supports for school-age students with autism
Accommodations for ADHD students K-12 in the classroom
Accommodations for students with learning disabilities
Classroom accommodations for ADHD
Classroom accommodations for dyslexic students
Classroom accommodations for students with epilepsy
Developing 504 Classroom accommodation plans
Dyslexia accommodations: How to know what your child needs
Dyslexia and accommodations- ADA guidelines for school and work
Examples of accommodations and modifications
Modification for students with Down syndrome
Section 504 and Discrimination
Section 504: sample accommodations and modifications
What are school accommodations and modifications for students with Asperger’s?
Annual awareness observances are sponsored by federal, health and non-profit organizations. Awareness campaigns serve the purpose of informing and educating people on a certain causes. Each year, the number of special needs organizations bringing awareness to specific disabilities and disorders seem to grow. Awareness activities range from one day to a month.
Here is a calendar of major special needs awareness months, weeks, and days. Most websites include awareness toolkits, promotional materials and fact sheets. Since it is still early in the year, some of the campaigns still have 2018 campaigns on their websites. I will add new information once the changes are up on the websites.
January 20- International Day of Acceptance
January 24- Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day
Turner Syndrome Awareness Month
February 15- International Angelman Day
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March 1- International Wheelchair Day
March 21- World Down Syndrome Day
March 26- Purple Day for Epilepsy
April 2- World Autism Awareness Day
Better Hearing and Speech Month
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Williams Syndrome Awareness Month
May 1- Global Developmental Delay Day
May 15- Tuberous Sclerosis Global Awareness Day
May 5-12- Cri du Chat Awareness Week
May 8-14- Brain Injury Awareness Week
June 23- Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day (Canada)
Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month
July 14- Disability Pride Parade (NY)
July 14- Disability Awareness Day (UK)
July 22- National Fragile X Awareness Day
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Syndrome Awareness Month
National Spinal Cord Awareness Month
September 7- World Duchenne Awareness Day
September 9- Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day
Disability History Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Dyslexia Awareness Month
Occupational Therapy Awareness Month
October 6- World Cerebral Palsy Day
October 15- White Cane Awareness Day
October 13-19 Invisible Disabilities Week
October 13-19 International OCD Awareness Week
National Physical Therapy Month
Special Needs Law Month
November 7- National Stress Awareness Day
November 15- World Ohtahara Syndrome Awareness Day
Sequence is defined as a set of related events, movements, or things that follow each other in a particular order. For many children and adults with developmental delays and disabilities, the ability to arrange thoughts, information and language may be a challenge due to issues with their executive function capabilities. The following resources, tips and strategies will help you teach sequencing skills.
How to teach sequencing skills at home
How to teach sequencing skills to children
How to teach sequencing to preschool children
Sequencing activities for students with autism
Sequencing skills teaching strategies
Strategies for teaching your child sequencing skills
The importance of sequencing skills in a child’s development
Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) is a chromosomal disorder due to 3 copies of chromosome 21, causing a number of developmental delays, medical and physical disabilities. Learning is one of the areas that is affected by the disorder. Children born with Down syndrome typically have delays in the area of gross and fine motor skills, thinking, short attention span, speech and language difficulties and sequencing. The following links and resources include information on tips and strategies for teaching children with Down syndrome for both parents and teachers.
5 tips for including students with Down syndrome in a general education classroom
10 things teachers should know about Down syndrome
Classroom strategies for Down syndrome students
Five instructional strategies for children with Down syndrome
Modifications for students with Down syndrome
Modifying your curriculum for individuals with Down syndrome
Quick tips for teaching students with Down syndrome in general education classes
Strategies for learning and teaching
Supporting the student with Down syndrome in your classroom
Teaching children with Down syndrome- 10 tips from a former teacher
Teaching children with Down syndrome to read
Teaching students with Down syndrome
Teaching tips: Special education children with Down syndrome
Tips for teaching students with Down syndrome
What students with Down syndrome want teachers to know
10 things teachers should know about Down syndrome
Down syndrome-Classroom strategies
Five instructional strategies for children with Down syndrome
Homeschooling a child with Down syndrome
Including and accommodating students with Down syndrome
Inclusive education for individuals with Down syndrome
Quick tips for teaching students with Down syndrome
Strategies for Learning and Teaching
Supporting children with Down syndrome in primary school
Supporting the student with Down syndrome in your classroom
Teaching numbers to children with Down syndrome
Teaching students with Down syndrome
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Down syndrome is defined as a genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. I have included articles that I have posted over the years to help educate others. Please feel free to share on other social media sites.
20 facts you should know about Down Syndrome
30 Resources for World Down Syndrome Day
Down Syndrome History Timeline
Facts about Down syndrome (Infographic)
Mosaic Down Syndrome Resources
Signs of Autism and Down Syndrome
Top books on Down syndrome for parents and professionals
According to the CDC, Down Syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder. Each year 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome which is estimated to be about 1 in every 700 babies. Here is a timeline showing Down syndrome progression over the years:
1866- British Physician John Langdon Down, first described the genetic disorder as “Mongoloid” based on patients similar characteristics.
1876- An initial association between premature “senility” and Down syndrome is discovered.
1929- Life expectancy is approximately 9 years of age
1932- Abnormal distribution of chromosomes was first suggested as the cause of Down syndrome.
1946- Life expectancy is approximately 12 years of age.
1948- Evidence between Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome is first published.
1959- Dr. Jerome Lejeune discovered Down syndrome is the result of an abnormality in the chromosomes.
1959- The term Trisomy 21 is used on the medical community to describe Down syndrome.
1960- Researchers discover a type of trisomy called translocation
1961- Researchers discover a type pf trisomy called Mosaicism.
1965- The World Health Organization (WHO) accepts the name Down syndrome as the standard name to use.
1970- Life expectancy is approximately 25 years of age.
1976- Amniocentesis comes into common use in the United States
1987- A gene associated with Alzheimer disease is discovered on Chromosome 21
1994- CDC announces he prevalence of Down syndrome from 1893-1990 was 1 in 1087.
1997- Life expectancy is approximately 49 years of age.
2006- Life expectancy is approximately 60 years of age
