Recently, the ability to understand was proven. The children with Down syndrome were shown flashcards with word on them that they had never seen such as sleep and shut. When shown the flashcards, the children did not try to read the words but actually used a different word that means the same thing in the place of the original word. For example, for the word sleep the children said "go to bed" and for the word shut the children said "closed". This experiment won many years of funding in order to study this phenomenon in these children. Over the years, it has been shown that these children are capable of taking a word that they cannot read and decoding it for meaning and then replacing the word with the meaning or a new word that means the same thing.

It has been thought in recent years that children with Down syndrome were simply reading the words but were not understanding or comprehending what they were reading. This newest research proves that this is not the case and in actuality, they are capable of understanding a lot earlier than originally thought.

Reading can improve the intellectual capabilities of these children because many of them have impairments in hearing and sight. Reading the words themselves actually bypasses the two impaired senses and allows the child to learn in their own way. Researchers have begun to categorize Down syndrome children according to their reading age rather than their chronological age. The reading age is the age level at which they are able to read compared to their chronological age which is according to their date of birth. This is more indicative of the level of learning the child is at. Interestingly, though, many Down syndrome children have a reading age that is closer to their chronological age but their IQ does not reflect the age at which they are learning.

When teaching a child with Down syndrome to read, it is important to note that not all children will be ready or able to learn to read at the same age. While many are ready to learn reading at pre-school age, and learn quickly, there are others who are not ready to learn reading and to learn from reading until they are closer to their teen years. Today, there are many teen and adult people with Down syndrome who read for pleasure and enjoy reading but who were not ready to read until the age of eight or nine years or even after.

Many children with Down syndrome grow up wanting to have families of their own and to be married. While many Down syndrome people do get married, they still need someone to keep track of their health care, finances, and other adult related issues. Since men with Down's are typically infertile, children are not usually an issue. However, from the sexuality standpoint, women with Down's are fertile and if they do get pregnant there is a 50% chance that the baby will have Down syndrome as well. The woman would have to be impregnated by a man without Down syndrome in order to conceive.

The best way for caregivers to handle the adult Down syndrome child is to provide them with as much independence as possible while still providing guidance. Many parents report that independence is a constant struggle because the adult child wants more freedom than what they are capable of handling. There are many advocate centers where the adult child can go for interaction and sometimes-even employment. Many times these centers have transportation that will pick up the Down syndrome adult and take them to their employment as well as other events. Many times, they can get their medical care at the all-inclusive center with the parents being notified of all medical information relating to the adult child. This can be a good way for the adult child to feel independent and like they are taking care of themselves while the parent is still in charge and providing guidance and care. Church is another area where the adult child can have freedom. Many churches have adults with Down syndrome classes and provide transportation as well. Allowing the adult child to choose the church and attend there alone can provide a much-needed dose of freedom.

The adult child can also join a support group where there are other adult Down syndrome members. They do need the interaction with people who are like themselves as well as the need to talk to others who are going through the same issues as them. Many times these support groups have meetings for the parents as well.

Housing options such as group homes or independent living centers, work programs, and recreation activities can give adults with Down syndrome the independence they crave and desire with the guidance the require. With appropriate ongoing medical care and support, adults with Down syndrome can lead productive lives.

There are many school systems that do not use inclusion to educate their children with Down syndrome. In these cases, the children are in their own separate classrooms with children who are like them. Some children will be more severe and some will be closer to normal functioning. The belief for this way of educating is that the children benefit more from being around children who are like themselves. In addition, the teachers can teach to the majority of the needs in the classroom. The fear of inclusion for these students is that the regular teachers cannot provide the kind of teaching that the children with Down syndrome need. There is also the fear that the Down syndrome children will be too disruptive in the general classroom and adversely affect the students who do not have Down syndrome.

Many parents are taking education into their own hands and are home schooling their children with Down syndrome. There are many curriculums that are designed for parents as teachers and there are also online programs the parents can use to teach their children. The philosophy behind home schooling is that the student can learn in his or her own environment and without the stress of the classroom. There is no pressure to perform on someone else's schedule and the students are not subject to the opinions of other children that can many times be hurtful rather than helpful. Many Down syndrome children are not capable of spending six or eight hours a day in a classroom setting home schooling can help these students as well. There are many home schooling groups within communities these days where children from the community who are home schooled can come together and get to know each other and socialize. By introducing the Down syndrome student into these groups, they get the socialization with the children who do not have Down syndrome and the Down's children get the benefit of being with the regular children. If the parents are on board and able to home school, it is believed that this way of educating can provide the best of both world's for everyone involved.

Regardless of the way, a child with Down syndrome is educated; they can have a successful schooling career and learn just like other students. It is important to provide them with a way of learning regardless of what the particular method is.

There are obvious physical signs of Down syndrome that are present at birth. These include folds at the inner corners of the eyes, a flat nose bridge, ears that are small or appear to be lower on the head than normal, curved little or "pinky" fingers on the hands and a gap between the big toes and the second toes on the feet. These physical characteristics do not cause any health risks to the infant with Down syndrome.

The medical problems that arise in infant with Down syndrome can be both short and long term in nature and many are life threatening. Without proper treatment many infants with Down syndrome can die. It is important to note however, that the majority of infants, who are born with Down syndrome and require proper care, will live long and productive lives. The medical problem that the infant is first checked for is congenital heart defects. This is the most common serious defect in infants with Down syndrome and can be fatal if not properly cared for. Many infants with Down syndrome are also born with gastrointestinal problems that include problems in both feeding and digestion. These also have the potential to be life threatening if not properly cared for. Down syndrome infants are also born with ear, nose, and throat problems that can include chronic ear infections, allergies, and even hearing loss and they can also suffer from orthopedic problems that include back, hip and foot deformities and instabilities. Other less common physical defects that can occur in infants with Down syndrome include eye problems such as cataracts, dental problems, a propensity towards seizures, and a higher risk of developing leukemia.

Feeding can be tricky in the infant with Down syndrome. These infants can breast feed even with oral motor defects and sucking problems that they can be born with. Breast-feeding can help correct the week oral muscles and tongue muscles as well as the other oral motor defects. However, many Down syndrome infants are not able to successfully breast feed. In the early weeks of life, infants with Down syndrome tend to sleep more than the average newborn baby and for this reason they cannot be fed on demand. The infants need to be awakened every two or three hours in order to feed. As the infant grows, the parent can add new foods along the same schedule as non-syndrome infants but should keep in mind that the delay in the eruption of teeth can dictate the procrastination of adding solid foods. It is also important to note that it takes a lot of time and patience when teaching a child with Down syndrome to eat with a spoon and drink from a cup.

It is important for parents of infants with Down syndrome to keep in close contact with their pediatricians and make certain that their infants receive all of their suggested immunizations, treatments, and therapies. Parents can also benefit from support groups that are designed for parents and families of infants and children with Down syndrome.

Adolescents who have Down syndrome go through puberty in much the same was as other teens. They have the same sexual, physical, and mental changes and desires that everyone else has although it may be delayed in some. It is important for parents to educate their disabled children about sexuality in the same way they would their other kids except on their cognitive level. The incidence of masturbation in adolescents with Down syndrome is much the same as that of the regular population. It is considered a healthy form of self-gratification that proves the needs and desires of the Down's person.

Dating is a normal part of adolescent social development and should be encouraged among the Down syndrome population. They should be prepared for and taught the social behaviors of dating. There have been incidences of Down syndrome couples marrying but the successful ones live among the support of their families or other support systems.

Contraception is typically a major concern among the family members of Down syndrome people in a relationship. Oral contraceptives are the most widely used birth control among the female Down's population because with methods such as the barrier methods most of the Down's women need supervision using such products. Other popular methods are the Depo Provera injection and the Norplant implant. They are better than the birth control pill in that there is no daily commitment. However, there are more side effects related to irregular bleeding and cycles that cause these methods to be discontinued. Women with Down syndrome as a general rule are fertile and have regular cycles the same way everyone else does. Men with Down syndrome however, are basically infertile. There are only two documented cases of men with Down's fathering children. However, slight the chance of impregnation, it is still important for the woman to use contraception unless the families believe the couple is capable of raising a child. It is important to note that 50% of all conceptions to a Down syndrome woman will result in an infant with Down syndrome or other mental retardation issues or deformities.

Along with the concern of pregnancy is the issue of sexually transmitted diseases. Since condoms are the only prevention of STD's and barrier methods of protection are not feasible for Down syndrome people, more and more people are contracting various diseases. Even though they have mental disabilities, it is important to make certain that people with Down syndrome have adequate instruction on sexuality, dating, marriage, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. These individuals have the ability and the right to develop relationships in this manner and can be successful with guidance from parents and caretakers

Organizations like NDSS, the National Down Syndrome Congress, the American College of Medical Genetics will only recommend treatmetns and therapies that have been put through scientific studies and have had numerous research studies performed on them. Risks and side effects must be weighted against the benefits. Good research takes time and money but is necessary.

Some of the more popular alternative treatments include: vitamin therapies, Piracetam, Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO, and Interferon as well as growth hormone, and a combination of vitamins/minerals/enzymes and amino acids.

How to explore alternative therapies and treatments:

First make sure you explore with your doctor's input

Find out the nature of the research and what studies have been conducted.

Compare the risks, benefits and costs.

Is there documentation supporting the safety of the therapy?

Are the claims realistic and believable?

What are the qualifications of the practitioner or organization supporting the therapy?

What are the risks or side effects?

Any decision regarding care should be made with input from all involved including medical professionals who know the individual. The goal should be to make decisions for the individual that will give him/her the best quality of life.

Alternative therapies or programs should not distract from the current medical care or disrupt necessary traditional means of ongoing care. Any alternative treatments should be discussed with the main physician in charge of care so that any risk or side effects can be minimized. Any changes in the medical care should be brought to the physicians attention as interactions between therapies can occur. Physicians are excellent sources of information regarding scientific study and research being done on alternative therapies and programs. Down Syndrome Organizations are also a good resource for current therapies and the research being conducted on them. Many of them have newsletters to inform members of the newest trends and what works and what doesn't. Joining an organization that supports Down Syndrome patients and their families is a smart move. They can not only be a good source of information but they can be a sounding board for exploring the possibilities as many of them have forums where members discuss the current treatments and therapies.

Developmental milestones are usually delayed such as speech, self-care, feeding and toilet training.

Cognitive ability ranges from mild to moderate retardation. Down syndrome children can usually achieve physical skills but at a slower pace than other children.

There is no way to determine at birth what a child's potential is and all children with Down Syndrome must be encouraged to reach their own full potential by encouraging a nurturing environment, an enriching education and proper medical care.

It is possible for a child to be born with Down Syndrome and to be relatively healthy. Others with Down Syndrome have multiple medical issues to deal with. Half of all babies born with Down Syndrome (DS) have congenital heart defects, pulmonary hypertension, vision problems, auditory issues, language and learning challenges.

Other medical issues center around the thyroid, intestinal disturbances, seizure disorders, respiratory problems, obesity, having a higher than normal susceptibility to infection as well as having a higher than normal occurrence of Leukemia. Many of these physical conditions are treatable.

The health concerns can be many or few. Each child faces different physical challenges from mild to severe. Each child may have different symptoms as well as different combinations of medical issues. The most commonly seen physical medical concerns are:

Congenital heart disease is seen in approximately 45% of children with Down Syndrome

Hearing deficits occur in up to 80% of those born with Down Syndrome

Intestinal abnormalities are common including esophageal blockage, problems with the small bowel and the anus

3% of newborns with Downs are born with cataracts that require surgery to remove them

Other vision problems can be strabismus, near-sightedness, and also far-sightedness
Other skeletal problems that can also occur are involving the kneecap, and also possible hip dislocation

As many as 2% of those born with Down Syndrome have some kind of neck problem requiring surgery. Other skeletal problems that can also occur are involving the kneecap, and also possible hip dislocation

Other medical conditions may involve immunological issues, seizure disorders, and sleep apnea and also skin disorders.

There are prenatal tests that can be performed; however the certainty of the diagnosis of Down can only be made at birth. The extent of the physical, mental and emotional aspects of Downs can only be determined over time.

Research has proven that chromosomal abnormalities are the cause of 50% of all miscarriages. There are three causes for Down syndrome itself but the most common cause is called Trisomy 21. It gets its name because the person has three copies of the 21st chromosome rather than two copies of that particular chromosome. Trisomy is the presence of three copies of a certain chromosome rather than the usual two copies. It is believed that 25% of miscarriages are caused by a trisomy of some kind.

In the United States alone, there are about 350,000 families that are affected in some way by Down syndrome. There are approximately 5,000 babies with Down syndrome born every year. Down syndrome can affect anyone at anytime. No one is particularly exempt from the possibility of having a child with Down syndrome. Women who are older than 35 years of age do have an increased risk of having a child with Down syndrome -actually, it is a one in 400 chance – due to the increased age of her eggs. This occurs because women do not make new eggs each month but in actuality are born with the number of eggs in each ovary that they will ever have. By the time the woman is 40 years of age her chances of having a baby with Down syndrome increases to one in 110 and by the age of 45 years, it increases to one in 35. Since the trend today is for more and more women to wait longer to start their families there is becoming a greater incidence of woman who are getting pregnant with Down syndrome infants.

The fact that more women are waiting to get pregnant and more women are finding out that they are carrying infants with Down syndrome, leads to an increase in pregnancy terminations. Research shows that 90% of Down syndrome pregnancies are terminated.

As there is more research on the 21st chromosome and the genetics of Down syndrome it is hopeful that a treatment and/or cure could be on the horizon. Scientists also believe that it will be possible to improve, correct, or prevent many of the health issues that accompany Down syndrome. With the increase in terminations of Down syndrome pregnancies, there will obviously be a decrease in the number of Down syndrome babies born. As the population of Down syndrome people gradually decreases, funding for research will decrease, the need for research will decrease, and eventually the possibility for treatments or a cure will not be so close.

The National Down Syndrome Society is a big supporter and sponsor for research. Since 1983, the NDSS has provided nearly $3 million dollars in research support by directly funding more than 40 scientists and sponsoring over twelve research conferences.

In years past, it was assumed that Down syndrome was a degenerative disorder. It was thought that there would be a slowing of the learning process and then eventually the loss of all previously acquired skills. Children with Down syndrome do progress more slowly in all areas of development but they do steadily progress and continually learn more skills. It has been proven that development is influenced by loving parents, effective therapy, inclusive education, and caring communities. This being said, most children with Down syndrome do not progress beyond the intellectual capabilities of the average 6-8 year old. Many of these adults do not even reach that level and it takes into adulthood to get there.

It is important to note that children with Down syndrome have different levels of disability and learning just as other children have different levels of learning. These children quickly realize that they need assistance from other people for many things and in the end come to depend on other people even for things, they can do. As adults, they will have the tendency to avoid any type of situation in which they may experience failure and will allow and even demand other people to do these things for them. Rather than doing for them it is important for the people around them to encourage the Down syndrome person to do things for themselves so that they will eventually learn and accomplish more.

One issue with adults with Down syndrome is that they age faster than the average adult does. Someone with Down's in their twenties or thirties has a body that thinks it is the age of an adult who is in their forties to sixties. This accelerated aging causes a decline in development as these people get older. While their non-Down's counterparts are still developing and learning, the child or adult with Down syndrome will age quickly and decline in rate of development.

The frequency with which children with Down syndrome apparently lose skills suggest that teaching efforts should focus not on the development of new skills but also on ensuring that these skills once acquired, are adequately put to good use. Psychological as well as biological influences determine what happens or does not happen in children with Down syndrome. It is important to understand that some children with Down syndrome succeed at mastering so much more than other children in the same situation master. In effect, it seems to be a fear of failure that causes these children and adults to stop learning and developing.

Trisomy 21 causes more than 90% of all cases of Down syndrome and begins in the early stages of cell division between the sperm and the egg cells. In the case of Trisomy 21, the child has three copies of chromosome 21 in all of his or her cells rather than the usually two copies – one from the mother and one from the father. In the case of Mosaic Down syndrome, the child has three copies of the 21st chromosome in some cells but not all of them. This rare type of Down syndrome begins in cell division after fertilization occurs. Occasionally at conception, part of the 21st chromosome can become attached or translocated onto another chromosome. The child has the normal two copies of chromosome 21 with additional genetic material stuck onto the translocated chromosome. This is the rarest cause of Down syndrome and can be passed on to the infant from the parent who is carrying the translocated chromosome.

Down syndrome is not inherited. It is cause by a mistake during cell division only. There are risk factors; however, that can increase the chance of an infant being born with Down syndrome. The biggest risk factor is advanced maternal age. This is a risk factor because as a woman's eggs age there is more of a chance that their cells will divide improperly. Another risk factor is if the mother has another child with Down syndrome. Previous Down syndrome pregnancies increase the chances the mother will have subsequent infants with Down syndrome. The final risk factor comes from the parents who are carriers of the translocated 21st chromosome. Both men and women can pass the genetic translocation on to their children.

There is no medical treatment for Down syndrome that will provide a cure. Most infants will benefit from early medical intervention for the many health problems and physical impairments that can occur in Down syndrome. The infant will more than likely need medical intervention from a cardiologist, an internist or gastroenterologist, and an audiologist. Many developmental specialists are also necessary including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech and language specialists. Children with Down syndrome do usually meet their developmental milestones but they do so at a slower pace than most children.

There is not a way to prevent Down syndrome. Before becoming pregnant, women who are over the age of 35 or who already have one child with Down syndrome can benefit from visiting a genetic counselor. This type of counselor can help determine the chances of having a child with Down syndrome as well as the prenatal tests that will be performed to determine whether the infant has the syndrome.