| Down Syndrome is a genetic chromosomal syndrome | | | | Truth: Children with Down Syndrome have an I.Q |
| affecting physical features and causing mental | | | | that falls between the mild to moderately retarded |
| retardation. Down Syndrome is caused by having an | | | | range. Children with Down Syndrome can be |
| extra third copy of chromosome 21. Down Syndrome | | | | educated. However, educators and researchers have |
| can be diagnosed prenatally in the womb during | | | | not been able to verify and document the full |
| pregnancy using several different tests including | | | | educational potential of Down Syndrome children. |
| ultrasound, amniocentesis and CVS. | | | | Myth: Most people with Down Syndrome are |
| Diagnosis after birth can usually be done from | | | | institutionalized. |
| examining the baby's physical and facial features such | | | | Truth: In recent years, Down Syndrome children are |
| as: | | | | seen in the public together with the families, going |
| # Flattened face | | | | about their educational, social and recreational |
| # Snub nose | | | | activities. Some adults with Down Syndrome have |
| # Flattened nasal bridge | | | | also seen to work in café and fast food chains. |
| # Upward slanting eyes | | | | Myth: Adult with Syndrome are unemployable. |
| # Short neck | | | | Truth: As society's acceptance and understanding |
| # Enlarged and protruding tongue | | | | towards adults with Down Syndrome children |
| # Abnormally shaped ears | | | | increases, businesses around the world are employing |
| # Short stubby hands | | | | young adults with Down Syndrome for a variety of |
| # Short stubby feet | | | | positions. |
| # Infant not crying much | | | | Myth: Adults with Down Syndrome are unable to |
| Below are some of the major myths about Down | | | | form close interpersonal relationship leading to |
| Syndrome. Each myth is debunked with the truth | | | | marriage. |
| concerning one specific aspect of Down Syndrome. | | | | Truth: Many adults with Down Syndrome are able to |
| Myth: Down Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder. | | | | socialize and form ongoing relationship such as |
| Truth: One in every 800 to 1,000 birth is a child with | | | | courtship and marriage. Although women with Down |
| Down Syndrome condition. This figures represents | | | | Syndrome can have children, but the chances of |
| approximately 5,000 births per year. | | | | getting a Down Syndrome child is 50%. |
| Myth: Most children with Down Syndrome are born to | | | | Myth: People with Down Syndrome condition can |
| older parents. | | | | never be cured. |
| Truth: 80% of children with Down Syndrome are | | | | Truth: As the medical research advances, it was |
| born to women under 35 years of age. However, as | | | | identified that the gene on chromosome 21 is |
| the age of the parents increases, so does the | | | | responsible for Down Syndrome. Scientists believe |
| incidence of births of children with Down Syndrome | | | | that there is a possibility in the future to improve, |
| condition. | | | | correct and prevent the varies problems related to |
| Myth: Children with Down Syndrome are severely | | | | Down Syndrome. |
| retarded. | | | | |