Causes of Down Syndrome:
- "Human cells normally contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. One chromosome in each pair comes from your father, the other from your mother. Down syndrome results when abnormal cell division involving chromosome 21 occurs. These cell division abnormalities result in extra genetic material from chromosome 21, which is responsible for the characteristic features and developmental problems of Down Syndrome." (Mayoclinic.org, 2014)
- 3 genetic variations can cause Down Syndrome. These 3 are Trisomy 21, Mosaic Down Syndrome, and Translocation Down Syndrome.
- Down Syndrome is caused by Trisomy 21 about 95% of the time. The child has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two copies in all cells. This is caused by abnormal cell division during the development of the egg cell or the sperm cell.
- Mosaic Down Syndrome is a rare form. It's caused by abnormal cell division after fertilization.
- Translocation Down Syndrome is caused by when part of chromosome 21 is attached onto another chromosome. A child would have two copies of chromosome 2, but have additional material from chromosome 21 attached to the translocated chromosome.
- "Down syndrome isn't inherited. It's caused by a mistake in cell division during the development of the egg, sperm or embryo. Translocation Down Syndrome is the only form of the disorder that can be passed from parent to child. However, only about 4 percent of children with Down syndrome have translocation. And only about one-third of these children inherited it from one of their parents." (Mayoclinic.org, 2014)
Characteristics of Down Syndrome:
- Some physical characteristics are low muscle tone, flat facial features, a small nose, extra space between the big toe and second toe, upward slant eyes, and enlarged tongue that sticks out.
- "More than half the children born with Down syndrome also have visual problems such as crossed eyes, nearsightedness or farsightedness." (Webmd.com, 2015)
- "All children with Down's syndrome have some degree of learning
disability and delayed development, but this varies widely between
individual children. Babies with Down's syndrome also often have
short arms and legs and low muscle tone, making it harder for them to
learn how to move." (Nhs.uk, 2014)
- Certain development milestones are affected, including: reading, talking, standing, sitting, communicating, reaching, and walking.
A Video Clip of a Student with Down Syndrome:
Here's a link provided that has a person describe "how it feels to have down syndrome" http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thinplaces/2013/10/loving-my-challenging-life-with-down-syndrome/
Trisha Roiger
Resources for Parents
- http://downsyndromeinfo.org/parent-to-parent/ This website is a Parent-to-Parent Program that matches families who receive a new diagnosis with a trained Parent Mentor who has similar experiences. You can connect with a Parent Mentor who will answer questions, offer support, provide resources, connect you with others. There are supportive books parents also receive.
- http://www.warmlinefrc.org/ This website provides support and resources to families of children with special needs from birth to age 22. They host workshops, support groups, and provide information/publications that can help with many different needs or challenges parents might face.
- http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/images/PDF/pfl-sh09.pdf This article shows the importance of using People First Language – putting the person before the disability – and eliminating old descriptors (that can be hurtful) to help parents move in a new direction.
- http://downsyndromenewmama.blogspot.com/ This blog is a resource for new parents of a baby with Down Syndrome and a place for the experienced to share what worked and what didn’t.
- http://reallifedownsyndrome-resources.blogspot.com/ A comprehensive look at raising a child with Down Syndrome written for parents, by parents. There's a blog, articles, facts, and resources available for parents.
Children Books
- This website http://www.ds-health.com/books4.htm provides a ton of recommended books about down syndrome for children. There are various reading levels from ages 4-11. "Beautiful things can be found in unexpected places." This is a quote from the book Be Good to Eddie Lee. These books are children age appropiate and parents can also read them.
Accommodations:
- Pacing and motor activities: breaks between activities and allow more time on assignments
- Time management: use a visual schedule and give transition warning
- Socialization: vary groupings and allow opportunities to help other students
- Materials: use large print, use pictures, and reduce language level as suited
- Assignments: change difficulty level, change assignment length, and reduce paper/pencil work
- (CDSS Building Better Tomorrows, 2015)
Modifications:
- Have the teacher use the See and Learn Language Program. It's recommended by the Down Syndrome network. It's a step-by-step process that progresses from word pictures, to written words, to first sentences.
- When the teacher is giving quizzes and tests he or she should grade only five of the 10 questions and answers and give the student and oral quiz or test. Overall, The teacher will need to change the standard according to the student's level.
- (InformED, 2015)
Scenarios:
References:
Becker, A. (2015). Loving My Challenging Life with Down syndrome. Thin Places-Faith, Family and Disability. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thinplaces/2013/10/loving-my-challenging-life-with-down-syndrome/
CDSS Building Better Tomorrows. (2015) (1st ed., p. 2). San Antonia, Texas.
Down Syndrome Information Alliance,. (2015). Down Syndrome Resources | Resources For Parents. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://downsyndromeinfo.org/resources/parents/
Ds-health.com,. (2015). Recommended Books about Down Syndrome. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://www.ds-health.com/books4.htm
InformED,. (2015). Modifying Your Curriculum For Individuals With Down Syndrome. Retrieved 4 February 2015, from http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/teacher-resources/teaching-individuals-with-down-syndrome/modifying-your-curriculum/
Mayoclinic.org,. (2014). Down syndrome Causes - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/down-syndrome/basics/causes/con-20020948
Nhs.uk,. (2014). Down's syndrome - Characteristics - NHS Choices. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Downs-syndrome/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
Webmd.com,. (2015). Down Syndrome Symptoms -- Typical Physical Characteristics. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/children/understanding-down-syndrome-symptoms
Trisha Roiger
- A student with down syndrome has difficulty learning phonics. Some accommodations for the student are: the teacher uses large, colorful books to engage the student, use flashcards to learn sight words, and develop a word/picture memory game. These are great accommodations for the student because children with down syndrome learn best visually. It's important for teachers to have visual props for each lesson they teach.
- A student with down syndrome has difficulty making connections to math problems; therefore the student is challenged learning math. Some accommodations for the student are: have the student act out the word problems, the teacher will need to give the student less problems so the student has extra time to solve the problems. Have a store set up, money, objects, and role-playing happening. The student will more easily grasp problem solving.
References:
Becker, A. (2015). Loving My Challenging Life with Down syndrome. Thin Places-Faith, Family and Disability. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thinplaces/2013/10/loving-my-challenging-life-with-down-syndrome/
CDSS Building Better Tomorrows. (2015) (1st ed., p. 2). San Antonia, Texas.
Down Syndrome Information Alliance,. (2015). Down Syndrome Resources | Resources For Parents. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://downsyndromeinfo.org/resources/parents/
Ds-health.com,. (2015). Recommended Books about Down Syndrome. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://www.ds-health.com/books4.htm
InformED,. (2015). Modifying Your Curriculum For Individuals With Down Syndrome. Retrieved 4 February 2015, from http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/teacher-resources/teaching-individuals-with-down-syndrome/modifying-your-curriculum/
Mayoclinic.org,. (2014). Down syndrome Causes - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/down-syndrome/basics/causes/con-20020948
Nhs.uk,. (2014). Down's syndrome - Characteristics - NHS Choices. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Downs-syndrome/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
Webmd.com,. (2015). Down Syndrome Symptoms -- Typical Physical Characteristics. Retrieved 3 February 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/children/understanding-down-syndrome-symptoms
Trisha Roiger