Myth: Down syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.
Truth:
Down
syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition. One in every
691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome,
approximately 6,000 births per year. Today, there are more than 400,000
people living with Down syndrome living in the United States.
Myth: People with Down syndrome have severe cognitive delays.
Truth:
Most
people with Down syndrome have cognitive delays that are mild to
moderate. Children with Down syndrome fully participate in public and
private educational programs. Educators and researchers are still
discovering the full educational potential of people with Down syndrome.
Myth: Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized.
Truth:
Today
people with Down syndrome live at home with their families and are
active participants in the educational, vocational, social, and
recreational activities of the community. They are integrated into the
regular education system and take part in sports, camping, music, art
programs and all the other activities of their communities. People with
Down syndrome are valued members of their families and their
communities, contributing to society in a variety of ways.
Myth: Parents will not find community support in bringing up their child with Down syndrome.
Truth:
In almost
every community of the United States there are parent support groups and
other community organizations directly involved in providing services
to families of individuals with Down syndrome. Visit www.ndss.org to
find a Down syndrome group in your area.
Myth: Children with Down syndrome must be placed in segregated special education programs.
Truth:
Children
with Down syndrome have been included in regular academic classrooms in
schools across the country. In some instances they are integrated into
specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included
in the regular classroom for all subjects. The current trend in
education is for full inclusion in the social and educational life of
the community. Increasingly, individuals with Down syndrome graduate
from high school with regular diplomas, participate in post-secondary
academic and college experiences and, in some cases, receive college
degrees.
Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable.
Truth:
Businesses
are seeking adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions. They
are being employed in small- and medium-sized offices: by banks,
corporations, nursing homes, hotels and restaurants. They work in the
music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, childcare, the
sports field and in the computer industry to name a few.
Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationships leading to marriage.
Truth:
People with Down syndrome have meaningful friendships, date, socialize, form ongoing relationships and marry.
Myth: People with Down syndrome are always happy.
Truth:
People
with Down syndrome have feelings just like everyone else in the
population. They experience the full range of emotions. They respond to
positive expressions of friendship and they are hurt and upset by
inconsiderate behavior.
Resource: NDSS (National Down Syndrome Society)
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