Helen Lee (down syndrome)

1) How is your disability defined by the federal and state laws?Down syndrome is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, and often leads to mental retardation. It affects 1 in every 800 babies born.

2) What are the developmental characteristics of persons with this disability? (This would include cognitive, social, emotional, physical, as well as levels of functioning.)Children with Down syndrome usually have a low muscle tone and loose joints. Babies with DS may learn how to sit up, crawl, and walk later than the other babies. Also, they tend to grow at a slower rate and remain smaller than their peers. For infants, low muscle tone may contribute to sucking and feeding problems, as well as constipation and other digestive issues. In toddlers and older children, there may be delays in speech and self-care skills like feeding, dressing, and toilet teaching.

3.) If you were a teacher in a general education classroom, what information and strategies would help you best support a child with this disability?
The teacher should first find information about Down syndrome. Many children with Down syndrome go to regular schools and they may attend regular classes. Some might need special classes for a specific subject. Because children with down syndrome affects their physical appearance, the teachers should maybe talk to children about down syndrome and tell them that they should not make fun of them. Many children with down syndrome gets teased often at school because of their appearance. By teasing them, they may have low self esteem and also cause depression. We should try to encourage these children and help them in certain ways.

4) What resources would help you as a teacher to serve this child?
http://www.ndss.org/
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/birth_defect/down_syndrome.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/downsyndrome.html
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=downsyndrome