Language,
Communication,
& Down Syndrome
How does Down Syndrome Develop?
Physical Traits:
Individuals with Down Syndrome can possess a variety of physical characteristics, including an upward slant to the eyes, low muscle tone, a deep palmar crease, a flattened facial profile, a narrower jaw, smaller head size, heart valve development problems, a small stature, and in many cases, obesity. These physical traits vary in presentation and degree from person to person; an individual might not exhibit some of these traits at all.
Language and Cognition:
A person with Down syndrome's brain is likely to develop differently in several notable ways. Areas including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum generally do not grow as large in volume compared to typically developing adults. These differences in brain development probably contribute to a person with Down syndrome's difficulties in short term and verbal memory, attention deficits, and intellectual functioning. The cerebellum is an area in the brain responsible for precise motor planning; therefore, the complex movements necessary for clear articulation are challenging for this population (Davis 2008). Impaired judgment, impulsive behavior, and delayed speech-language development are also symptoms related to brain development.
A Look at Down Syndrome and its Effect on Communication
How common is Down syndrome? What are the risk factors?
Prevalance reports vary. However, it can be estimated that anywhere from 1/600 to 1/900 babies are born with Down syndrome.
Down syndrome occurs an equal amount across all nationalities and genders. Although plenty of research has been conducted to determine risk factors, only two have been discovered - maternal age and genetics. The older the mother, the more likely it is that her child will have Down syndrome. Also, if the mother has one child with Down symdrome, it is more likely that her other children will also be born with the condition.
What is Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is a developmental disorder that occurs when a person is born with an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. As a result, people with down syndrome can have different physical characteristics, may have cognitive differences and delays, and can have trouble communicating.
How is Down Syndrome detected?
Down syndrome is most often detected prenatally by a variety of test options. Since the mother's blood contains some of the fetus' blood, a simple blood test can detect whether or not the child will have Down syndrome. Another common, more extensive test option is called amniocentisis. This tests the amniotic fluid for an extra copy of Chromosome 21.
Video //
Down Syndrome 101
What is Down Syndrome?
Watch the video above for more information on children with Down Syndrome.
Video courtesy of the Utah Down Dyndrome Foundation
Down syndrome, which can also be referred to as trisomy 21, is developed prenatally. During cell division, a person's genetic makeup typically contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, or 46 total chromosomes. In people with Down syndrome, a genetic mutation causes the presence of an extra copy of Chromosome 21.