What is Down Syndrome?

By: Kenley Cribb

Definition:
Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is
associated with intellectual disability, a
characteristic facial appearance, and weak muscle
tone (hypotonia) in infancy. All affected individuals
experience cognitive delays, but the intellectual
disability is usually mild to moderate.
How do doctors know if individuals have
Down Syndrome?
Doctors can complete a series of tests on pregnant
women that will test the number of chromosomes
the baby has. If the baby has an extra
chromosome,21 chromosomes, then the baby will
most likely have Downs Syndrome.
How many individuals have Down
Syndrome?
About 6,000 babies are born in the United States
every year.
The six symptoms of Down Syndrome:
1. Thicker and chunky fingers
2. Thicker and chunky toes
3. Thicker tongue
4. Flatter forehead
5. Upward slanted eyes
6. Decreased muscle tone
Treatment Options:
• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
Three facts about Down Syndrome
• The representative colors for Down Syndrome are
yellow and blue.
• March 21st is world Down Syndrome day.
• Individuals celebrate and bring awareness on
March 21st by wearing crazy socks.
Three Effective teaching strategies:
1. A teacher could give responsibilities to these
children. For example, make a child with down
syndrome the line leader of a class.
2. A teacher should put the child in the front of the
classroom not in the back by their self.
3. A teacher could educate other students on what
Down Syndrome is so students do not view
Down Syndrome negatively.
 Work Cited
“Down Syndrome Awareness.” Support store. Web. 26 Mar.
2019. < https://www.supportstore.com/awareness-
downs-syndrome.html>.
“Your Guide to Understanding Genetic Conditions.”US Library of
Medicine. N.p., 19 Mar. 2019. Web. 26 Mar. 2019.
<https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/down-syndrome>.