Just Like You- Down Syndrome
http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi14984985/
Just Like You is a video that explores the life, hopes, challenges and dreams of three kids living with Down syndrome. Elyssa, Rachel and Sam share personal stories to help viewers better undersand their own conditions and why they wish to be treated just like everybody else. Everybody has their own talents, characteristics, strenghts and challenges. Down syndrome is just one part of why they are and this film identifies how to handle and accommodate differences while celebrating the many similariter people with Down syndrome have with their peers
What causes Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is also known as Trisomy 21. It is caused by an extra chromosome that is developed in the child. Instead of the child getting 46 chromosomes 23 from the mother and 23 from the father a child with Down syndrome reiecves a total of 47. This extra genetic material that causes the physical features and developmental delays with DS. No one knows why DS comes and why it happens but it was found that women who are 35 and older have a higher risk of having children with DS.
Physical Developments
Children with Down syndrome have a slower pace in the way they learn and go about in life. The physical development is often slower than normal. Most children with Down syndrome never reach their average adult height. Also children with DS have a slower development with in mental and social development. Common problems with that includes: Impulsive behavior, having a short attention span, poor judgement and slow learning.
Medical Conditions
There are many different medical conditions seen in people with Down syndrome, which includes: Eye problems such as something called cataracts where most kids with DS will need glasses, Hearing isssues caused by regular ear infections, hip problems and a risk of dislocation, heart problems, and teeth that appear later than normal in a location that will give a child with DS problems with chewing and sleep apnea. They also have childhood leukemia and thyroid conditions. Many of there conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.
The average lifespan for an individual with Down syndrome is about 50 to 60 years. Historically in the United States, the majority of people with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities were kept in inhumane institutions where they were deprived of education, healthcare and even plumbing.
The average lifespan for an individual with Down syndrome is about 50 to 60 years. Historically in the United States, the majority of people with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities were kept in inhumane institutions where they were deprived of education, healthcare and even plumbing.