Being Around Children with Down Syndrome

The only real experience I have with exceptional children with down syndrome is being around my husbands aunt. I met her five years ago and like most people I see with down syndrome she always has a smile on her face. She is currently 42 years old with a heart and mind of a 15 year old teenage girl. It took her several visits from me to learn who I was but every single time I see her she fills me with compliments on my clothing. She loves accessories and make up so I always try to take her some for her enjoyment. One thing I noticed right away from her was that she always remember special events such as birthday and holidays. Every time I see her she tells me that it will be her birthday soon and what she wants for Christmas. Big events like family weddings also stick to her thoughts and she is always excited to talk about what she is going to wear. She attends a special school where there she has made many friends with similar needs. The school has really kept her active and happy.

At my field study school there are several children with down syndrome and the first thing they did when I walked through the door was smile at me and treat me like they knew me from forever. There was one particular one that stole my heart, he was the youngest at 3 years old and he was tiny, blonde with pretty blue eyes. He was all hugs the whole day and wanted to shake everyone's hand. They all looked and acted like normal kids to me and their smiley faces just made my whole day.

There are many options that parents can take with their exceptional down syndrome child's education. Some are special schools where the child is always surrounded by children with special needs and professional personnel. Another is home schooling, parents might choose this option when their child requires more needs as in medical ones or because they do not want their child exposed to uncomfortable situations or comments. My favorite option is when the choose public or normal schools, the child can be involved in a normal curriculum and have a normal school year by still having special needs professionals to assist them.

The definition of Down syndrome is the presence of an extra "chromosome 21" in the chromosomal makeup of the person. So the person with Down syndrome has three chromosome 21's, where as most people only have two. Hence Down syndrome is sometimes referred to as Trisomy 21- tri means 3, somy means chromosome, and 21 is the chromosome it is in reference to (www.cdadc.com)

"The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the Down syndrome community invite the public to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month this October. There will be special opportunities across the country to learn about Down syndrome and to promote acceptance and inclusion of individuals born with this genetic condition (NDSS).