Help for children with Down Syndrome.

Having a child with Down Syndrome can be overwhelming, but be assured their is help and support for you and your child with Downs Syndrome. It is recommended that you enroll your child with Down Syndrome with early intervention services as soon as possible,physical, occupational, and speech therapist and early-childhood educators so they can work with and encourage your child and accelerate development.Most states provide free early intervention for kids with disabilities from birth to age 3,it is advised that you check with your doctor or social worker to learn what resources are available in your area.
      When your child reaches age three, he or she is guaranteed educational services under the individual with Disabilities Education Act(IDEA). Under the IDEA, local school districts have to provide a free appropriate education in the least restrictive enviroment,and an individulized plan(IEP)for your child.
          Deciding where your child goes to school can be challenging. Some kids with Downs Syndrome have needs taht are best met in spcialized programs,while other kids with Downs Syndrome do well attending schools alongside peers who dont have Down Syndrome,this is known as inclusion,as is said to be both benifical to the child with Down Syndrome as well as the child that does not have Downs Syndrome.
                          Your school district's child study team should work with you to determine what's best for your child, but any decisions made shoul have your input,as you are your childs best advocate.Many kids with Downs Syndrome go to school and enjoy most of the activites as other kids their age.Few go on to college, and many transition into semi-independent living.While others continue to live at home but are able to hold jobs, finding their own success in the community. If your baby has DownSyndrome , their is no need to be afraid for the future,their is resource and support for your child right into adulthood ensuring quality of life,embracing your child for his or her own unique qualites,and not his disabities. It is veery important not to have limited expectations for your child with Downs Syndrome and to give him or she as many opportunities as possible.Let your child show what he/she is capable of. My advise to you is that you do your own research.

Resources for presnt and previous posts belows;

http//dowmssyndrome.about.com
http//www.bing.com/health/article/mayo
http//kidshealth.org/parent/medical/genetic/down-syndrome
http://www.ehow.com/list_6296122_signs-down-syndrome-during-pregnancy.

Screening for Down Syndrome.

There is no prevention for Downs Syndrome, but there are signs when pregnant to determine if the baby has Down Syndrome.There are two types of test used to detect Down Syndrome in a fetus they are screening test and diagnostic tests.Screening tests estimates the risk of a fetus having Down Syndrome. Diagnostic tests can tell wether the fetus actually has the condition.
    Screening test are cost effective and easy to perform. But because they can't give a definte answer if the baby has Downs Syndrome,the test are used to help parents decide if  need to have more diagnostic tests.
          Diagnostic test are about 99% accurate in detecting Down Syndrome and  other chromosomal abnormalaties,However because they are performed inside of the uterus, they are assosiated with a risk of miscarriage and other complications.For this reason invasive dianostic screening was previously generally recomended for women age 35 or older,family with history of genetics defects, or those who had an abnormal result on a screening test.
                   However,the american College of Obsterics and Gynecology now recommends that all women be offered screemning with invasive diagnostic testing for Down Syndrome,regardless of age.

Screening tests include;

Nuchal translucency testing.This test is performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, uses altrosound to mmeasure the clearspace in the folds of tissue behind a developing baby's neck.(Babies eith Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalaties tend to accumulate fluid thetre, making the space appear larger.) This measurment, taken together withthe mother,s age and baby's gestational age,can be used to calculate the odds that the baby has Down Syndrome.Nuchal translucency testing is usually performed along witha maternol blood test.

Tripple screen or quadruple screen (also called the multiple marker test). These tests measure the quantities of normal substances in the mother's blood.As the manes imply, triple screen tests for three markers and quadruple screen includes one addittional marker and is more accurate.These test are typically offered between 15 and 18 weeks of prgnancy.

Integrated screen. This uses results from first trimester screening teste(with or without nuchal transluccency)and blood tests with second trimester quad screen to come up with the most accurate screening results.

A genetic ultrasound. A detailed ultra sound is often performed at 18 to 20 weeks in conjiction with the blood test,and it checks the fetus for some of the physical traits abnormalities assosiated with Down Syndrome.

Diagnostic Tests include.

Chrorionic villus ampling(CVS).CVS involves taking a tiny sample of placenta, either through the cervix or through a neddle inserted in the abdomen. The advantage of this test is that it can be performed during the first trimester,between 8 and 12 weeks.The disadvantage is that it carries a slightly risk of miscarriage as compared with aminocentesis and has other complications.

Amenocentesis.This test,performed betwen 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy,involves the removal of a small amount of amniotic fluid through a needle inserted in the abdomen. The cells can then be analyzed for the presence of chromosomal abnormalaties.Aminocentesis carries a small risk of complications,such as preterm labor and miscarriage.

Percutaneous umbical blood sampling(PUBS). Usually performed after 20 weeks, this test uses a needle to retreive a small sample of blood from the umbical cord.It caries risk siliar to those assosiated with aminocentesis.

Realizing that your child is diagnosed with Down Syndrome can be ovewhelmimg and fear of facing the future.Talking to other parents with children with Down Syndrome can can help deal with the initial fear and shock.

Birth defects assosiated with Downs Syndrome.

Individuals with Down syndrome tend to have a variety of health issues when they are born and require extra  care. On the other hand some individuals with Down syndrome have no major health problems.

Some of the medical complication associated with Down syndrome are;Heart defects,Pulmonary hypertension, Hearing loss,vi son loss,Leukemia,Infectious diseases, Dementia,Sleep apnea and Obesity.

Nearly half of individuals with Down syndrome are born with congenital heart defect, which can be life threatening,and will require surgery early in life.

Individuals with Down syndrome are at a greater risk of developing pulmonary hypertension,it is a serious condition and can lead to irreversible damage to the lungs,all individuals born with Down syndrome should be evaluated by a pediatrics cardiologist.

About half of the individuals with Downs syndrome experience hearing loss,due to fluid build up in the inner ear or structural problem of the ear,it is necessary to be evaluated by an audiologist on a regular basis in order to detect and correct any problem so not to interfere with language and learning skills.

Vision loss affect nearly half of individuals with Downs syndrome, vison problem often associated with vision loss is amblyopia(lazy eye), near /farsightedness and cataracts, individuals should consult with an ophthalmologist to recognize and correct any defects.

Individuals with Downs syndrome are more likely to develop Leukemia at a young age than other individuals without Down syndrome.

Individuals with Down syndrome are are at a greater risk  for infectious disease such as pneumonia., due to abnormalities in their immune system.

By or before the age of  40 individuals with Down syndrome has a greater chance of  showing signs of dementia.

Downs syndrome individuals tend to have a greater risk of obstructive sleep apnea, due to soft tissue and skeletal alterations that causes obstruction of the airway.

Individuals with Down syndrome are more prone to be obese than the general population.

All of the above may seem overwhelming but with a support team in place can take the pressure of care giver, and individual can lead a life enhanced.

Downs syndrome and intellect.

Many individuals with Downs syndrome have intellectual disability ranging mild(IQ 50-70) to moderate (IQ 35-50). They tend to struggle with language skills, understanding and expressing themselves, individuals with Downs Syndrome commonly have speach delay,It is said that it isn't taken into consideration that individuals with Downs syndrome 62% face vision impairment, 77% face physical disabilities and hearing impairment,and these disabilities could slow test taking performance.
 Teaching for each individual should begin soon after birth through early intervention program. Since children with Downs syndrome have a wide range of abilities,sucess at school can vary greatly,shows the importance to evaluate individually.Since individuals differ in their languaqge and communication skills they could benifit greatly from speech therapy to correct speech error. Learning that your baby will be born with Downs syndrome can be overwhelming, but be encouraged there is alot  of resource to assist you, early inintrevention makes a big difference in the individuals life, Because individuals with downs syndrome have intellectual disability mild -moderate individuals placing them in mainstream class can be very beneficial to them in all aspects. As a parent I encourgae be patient with your child allow them to be independent as possible,teaching your child will benifit in the long run. I have had the opportunity to work alongside two individuals on a long term basis,and they inspire me every day,just how eager they are to learn new tasks every day, and commplete their volunteer tasks willing, i have never heard these two individuals complain, Individuals with downs syndrome just neeeds the support from people around to live their lives to the fullest potential

47, XX+21 . . . huh

Ever seen a child and was not quite sure why he or she looked the way they did ? Or was not sure of the disorder the child carried. The excessive space between the first & second toe. The single deep crease across the palm. The abnormally shaped ears. The small mouth with enlarged tongue. The small nose with depressed nasal bridge. Or even the slanted eyes? Well these are the physical characteristics of Down Syndrome also known as "Trisomy 21". This disorder is a chromosomal condition that is associated with intellectual disability. People with Down Syndrome may be born with a variety of birth defects. About half of all affected children have a heart defect. Some even have digestive abnormalities, such as a blockage of the intestine which are less common. Other conditions such as recurrent ear infections that may lead to hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid dysfunctions, and obesity. Down syndrome occurs in about 1 in 740 newborns. Although women of all ages can have a child with Down Syndrome , the chance of having  a child with this condition increases as a women gets older. Down syndrome in a fetus can be identified through chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis during pregnancy, or in a baby at birth. Men with Down Syndrome are essentially sterile and cannot reproduce. But women with Down Syndrome are able to produce egg cells and have babies which is a 50/50 chance of passing it down.

47, XY+21 . . .

Hello class this is Blossom
For the next couple of weeks I will be discussing the disorder 47, XY + 21. For those of you who are unaware with my topic stay tuned in and maybe you can learn something new.