October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

At Texas Children’s, we celebrate and support those with Down syndrome who enrich our lives with their uniqueness and spirit. To help raise awareness of relevant issues that our patients with Down syndrome and others contend with, medical staff members at our Texas Children’s Down Syndrome Clinic have written patient stories and blogs in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month this October. 

These blogs will include introductions to patients with Down syndrome and specific articles about sleep, nutrition, behavior and social aspects, and medical problems such as obstructive sleep apnea. Check the Texas Children’s website throughout the month to learn about the lives of people with Down syndrome.

Great progress has been made in understanding Down syndrome and improving the quality of life for those with this disorder. In fact, someone with Down syndrome now lives an average of 60 years, which is an incredible 220 percent increase since 1980 when the average was 25 years.

Because those with Down syndrome have an increased risk of suffering from conditions such as congenital heart defects and respiratory and hearing issues, advancements in medical care are a significant factor in this improved quality of life. But it’s not just medical care that has improved the lives of patients with Down syndrome. 

Texas Children’s Down Syndrome Expertise

The Texas Children’s Down Syndrome Clinic gives our patients well-rounded attention that helps give families an understanding of their child’s unique strengths and challenges. This includes our outstanding medical care and child development expertise focused on their cognitive, language and other areas of development. 

Our team of specialists with expertise in the needs of patients with Down syndrome supplements each child’s primary-care physician’s routine medical care with developmental assessments and individualized treatment recommendations. Each patient receives community resources, individualized therapy recommendations, school suggestions and appropriate health care from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Our clinic also provides specialized information and referrals that help referring physicians and other health care professionals provide excellent care for their young patients with Down syndrome. And our social work team offers a support group for families who have a child with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism that meets monthly in English and Spanish.

We are proud of our team’s expertise in helping our patients with Down syndrome lead active and fulfilling lives.

Resources

Visit the Texas Children’s Down Syndrome Clinic for more about the services we offer. 

A wealth of information about Down syndrome is available online. Here are a few places to start learning more:

• Center for Disease Control: About Down Syndrome
• National Association for Down Syndrome
• National Down Syndrome Congress
• National Down Syndrome Society

Facts about Down syndrome 

1. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. It is the most common chromosomal condition that occurs.
2. Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels.
3. People with Down syndrome contribute to society, including as politicians, activists, models and actors/actresses.
4. People with Down syndrome experience some level of cognitive delays, but they are not indicative of each person’s strengths and talents.
5. While many aspects of Down syndrome are not yet fully understood, current and future research is expected to lead to mitigation of some symptoms.

Source: National Down Syndrome Society: Facts, Myths & Truths about Down Syndrome