Chances are, if you’re reading this, that you know someone with Down syndrome. And if you don’t, I am so, so sorry. I’m sorry that you don’t know the love and light that those living with Down syndrome bring to the world. I’m sorry that you don’t get to experience the joy of being around someone with Down syndrome on a daily basis. And most of all, I am sorry that the world may have possibly told you different.

Has your child just been diagnosed with Down syndrome? This new world can seem daunting and overwhelming and quite frankly, scary! I see you, I hear you, and I’ve got just the thing to help you navigate your new reality. Download my FREE guide: 5 Things to do After Your Child’s Diagnosis, full of easy to follow action steps to help you guide you on your journey. Click here to download instantly!

If you just received a prenatal or at-birth diagnosis, you’re probably asking yourself, “What causes Down syndrome?” or “Did I cause my baby to have Down syndrome?” or “Is down syndrome hereditary?” Today I will be answering all of these questions and sharing a little bit more about the Down syndrome community, lovingly referred to as The Lucky Few.

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Overview of Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition caused by an extra chromosome. Most people only have 46 chromosomes, 23 from their mother and 23 from their father, but people with Down syndrome and some other chromosomal conditions have one extra, making a total of 47 chromosomes. A chromosomal conditional varies depending on which chromosome is added (or deleted). For example, Down syndrome is characterized by an extra copy of the 21st chromosome, so it is also called Trisomy 21. There are other trisomy chromosomal conditions, too (such as Trisomy 18 or Trisomy 13) and each one carries a different prognosis.

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition, affecting 1 out of every 700 births, which means that in the United States, alone, over 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born each year. 

One of the biggest issues the disability community faces is the amount of misconceptions about any given diagnosis. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about Down syndrome and in an effort to increase awareness and educate others, I am going to tackle some of the most common ones today.

Misconceptions About
Down Syndrome

MISCONCEPTION #1: Children and adults with Down syndrome have a severe intellectual disability. 

REALITY: Most people with Down syndrome have a mild-moderate intellectual disability and are still very capable of living a fulfilled life. A child with Down syndrome may not reach developmental milestones at the same rate as typically developing peers, but that does not mean they will not still reach those milestones. It is important to be aware of this because being diagnosed with Down syndrome does NOT make a person less competent. People with Down syndrome are unique and possess their own talents and skills, just like people without Down syndrome.

MISCONCEPTION #2: Down syndrome is hereditary. 

REALITY: There are three types of Down syndrome: Trisomy 21, which accounts for 95% of all cases, Translocation, which accounts for 4% of all cases, and Mosaic, which is the least common, affecting only 1% of all cases. While there is a genetic factor linked to all three types of Down syndrome, only 1% of cases are due to a hereditary component. Hereditary components are not a factor in either Trisomy 21 or Mosaic Down syndrome, but are a factor in about ⅓ of Translocation cases. 

MISCONCEPTION #3: People with Down syndrome are physically and emotionally alike. 

REALITY: While there are common physical traits that people with Down syndrome may share, such as a round face, short stature, and almond-shaped eyes, people with Down syndrome often look more like their family members than they do each other. People with Down syndrome experience emotions just like all of us. They have a range of emotions and respond to those emotions in the same way that typically developing peers would. 

Meet Some Kids with Down Syndrome

Just click on a sweet face to learn more about his/her story!

More Blog Posts and Resources:

My Instagram Fam - Down Syndrome
A Letter to Mom, From Your Daughter with Down Syndrome
Kindness is Golden Children’s Book Featuring Characters with Disabilities

Don’t forget to download my FREE guide: 5 Things to do After Your Child’s Diagnosis. I designed this to help you navigate the unknowns that come with a Down syndrome diagnosis, as well as provide support and extra resources. Click here to download!

The world is a better place because of people with Down syndrome. If you are a part of #TheLuckyFew and get to experience life with someone with Down syndrome on a daily basis, thank you. Thank you for sharing your stories, your experiences and your journeys with all of us so that we may join you in educating our communities. Thank you for helping break down barriers and for teaching people what causes Down syndrome, what life with Down syndrome looks like, and most importantly how we are #MoreAlikeThanDifferent.