Your Impact Is Stronger Than You May Think: Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is a common chromosomal condition that affects about 1 in 800 births worldwide. Support for Down syndrome patients has increased over time, leading to longer lifespans and more opportunities for them. Down syndrome causes developmental disabilities and delays, and can also increase the risk of other medical conditions like Alzheimer's. Language comprehension skills in Down syndrome patients improve in childhood but plateau in young adulthood and decline in older adulthood, likely due to dementia. Early intervention programs can greatly improve the lives of Down syndrome patients by helping them learn important skills. Integration into the community and inclusion by teachers and employers can have a positive impact. It's important to be inclusive and invite others to join you, regardless of whether they have Down syndrome or not. Have you ever met someone with Down syndrome? Down is the most common chromosomal condition correlated with intellectual disability, as it appears in about 1 in 800 births worldwide. The support for Down syndrome patients has dramatically increased over the past century. In 1960, a baby born with a disease did not live past their 10th birthday. Now people with Downs live until their 50s and 60s. They now live longer in part because institutional support for patients creates many opportunities for them to overcome their daily struggles. Welcome back to A New Perspective. I'm your host, Whitney Stroh. Today, we will be talking about Down syndrome and how your support may greatly affect a patient's life. Down syndrome occurs when a child is born with an extra copy of the 21st chromosome, causing physical and mental developmental disabilities and delays. Downs also heightens the likelihood of other medical conditions. For instance, Alzheimer's disease is prevalent in older adults with Downs. Though many of the disabilities are lifelong and join life expectancy, people with Down syndrome can still live happy and healthy lives. Someone with Down syndrome may be more impulsive, learn more slowly, and be less patient. Scientists are still learning more about the disease and its implications. The National Institute for Health Resources explores language comprehension in Downs syndrome patients across their lifespans. The scientists discovered that within Downs patients, language comprehension skills rise in childhood, but at a slower pace than typical children, plateau in young adulthood, and diminish in older adulthood. This decline is most likely associated with the onset of dementia taking place in old age. In short, as Downs patients grow older, they absorb less information compared to their peers. A childhood intervention program can change a Downs syndrome patient's life. As their learning abilities align the most with age-typical progression during this period, they will be able to learn the sensory skills, social skills, self-help skills, exercise, and language and cognitive abilities that can dramatically change their life for the better. By integrating this group into community life, they not only learn the necessary skills to be part of society, but studies show it can make Downs patients live longer. Teachers should include a Downs syndrome child with their peers. Likewise, employers who hire Downs patients have a profound impact as well. Businesses like Purple Bull on Franklin Street are one of them. Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Aiding Perspective. Everyone deserves a chance at a fulfilling life and to be included. Next time you see someone sitting alone at lunch, regardless if they have Downs syndrome or not, invite them to join you. Your impact is stronger than you may think.