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**Down Syndrome and Education**

History overview of topic

 * In 1866 the physical characteristics of people with Down Syndrome were linked with decreased intellectual ability and grouped as one syndrome. The English physician, John Langdon Down, was the first to discover these findings. Because facial features of people with Down Syndrome are close to those of people from Mongolia, he used the term mongoloid to refer to a person with DS. It wasn't until 1959 that Dr. Jerome Lejeune , a French physician, made the discovery that Down Syndrome was the result of a chromosomes abnormality. It led him to the fact that the cells of people with Down Syndrome had 47 chromosomes , instead of 46 chromosomes. Later it was discovered that chromosome 21 contained an extra chromosome in people with DS. That is how the term Trisomy 21 first came into play.

Current and Recent developments

 * Hearing problems, heart defects, thyroid disorders and poor immune system are common for people with Down syndrome. But they are also common for people without Down syndrome. Advances with other problems and disorders can help the DS population.



History/Chronology

 * In 1866 John Down first described and named Down syndrome.
 * In 1896 Telford Smith noticed similarities between Down's Syndrome and congenital hypothyroidism and theorized that they were two facets of the same problem. He also reported an improvement in the physical and mental condition of people with Down's Syndrome when given thyroid treatment.
 * People with Down syndrome were not educated and were placed in institutions.
 * Life expectancy was low, ranging from infancy to early adult.

Facts and Data

 * Down syndrome occurs 1 in 800 live births.
 * The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome has increased over the years, and is now in the mid fifties.
 * 30-50% of all children with Down syndrome are found to have heart defects.
 * It can not be prevented, but it can be detected.
 * Older women above the age 35 are at higher risk

Biographical Sketches


English physician John L. Down first characterized Down syndrome as a distinct form of mental disability in 1862, and in a more widely published report in 1866.

Stephane Ginnsz was the first lead actor with Down syndrome. She starred in the film __Duo__ and won many awards.

Glossary of Terms

 * DS: Down syndrome
 * Trisomy 21: Another name for Down syndrome
 * Mongoloid: A word that was used to describe people who have Down syndrome. Because they had similar features to those of the Mongolian race. It should not be used to refer to people with Down syndrome.

Recommended Research Databases

 * Academic Search Premier
 * Health and Wellness Resource Center
 * Science in Context

Print Sources

 * Sharp, Kim A, and Rebecca, J Fray. "Down Syndrome." //The Encylopedia of Medicine.// 2 (2006): 1206-1210. //Gale Vertual Reference Library.// Web 27 Oct. 2011
 * "Parents Seek Better Support for Children with Down Syndrome." //Gulf News// Mar. 2006. //Global Issues in Context//. Web 19 Sep. 2011.

Recommended Websites

 * National Down Syndrome Society []
 * National Association of Down Syndrome []
 * Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota []