Downs Syndrome
Puberty and Down Syndrome
Girls and boys with Down syndrome will experience the changes associated with puberty at the same time and in the same order as other young people. Adolescents with Down syndrome are typically less emotionally mature than other young people their age. Typically, this means that they will find the changes of puberty more difficult to understand and cope with. Just as in average children who are approaching puberty, it is important for parent and caregivers with children with Down syndrome to teach the child what to expect in puberty before it begins to happen. Knowledge will help the young person come to terms with their changing body and emotions. It is important when talking to children with Down syndrome about puberty that the caregiver uses visual aids, books, and videos to help assist in the process and to help the young person to better understand what is happening to his or her body.
Home schooling a Child with Down Syndrome
When considering the education of their Down syndrome child, home schooling is an option for consideration but not necessarily the best option for all families. Parents must consider the fact that they would like to have experts teach their children but this is not always a possibility. However, each parent is the expert for his or her child and can be the best teacher for the child as well
Disability for Down Syndrome Children and Adults
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a benefit that is provided by the federal government for children under the age of 18 years old who meet the qualifications for disability and for disabled people over the age of 18 years old who still depend on others for their care. SSI makes monthly payments to people with limited income who are over the age of 65, blind or disabled. For the Down syndrome child to qualify, he or she must have limited income, resources, and meet the definition for disabled by the federal government.
Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome
Children with Down syndrome show an interesting ability to learn to read and understand a larger vocabulary of words at increasingly younger ages. Typically, by the age of three years old a child with Down syndrome is capable of learning to understand what is being read to them and to begin reading the words themselves. Keeping in mind that the language barriers that these children have are just that ¿ language barriers and are not indicative of what the intellectual capabilities are for that child.
What Is Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal disorder that occurs early in fetal development. The name Down comes from Dr. John Langdon Down who first identified this disease in 1866. The word syndrome literally means ¿a collection of signs or characteristics¿. The infant is born with specific mental retardation issues and physical disabilities. Down syndrome is considered incurable and leaves the person with lifelong care issues but those who have this disease appear to carry out productive and healthy lives.