Down's syndrome: Emily's story | NHS

What is Down's syndrome?

Down's syndrome is when a person is born with an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are like tiny instruction books in our bodies. They tell our bodies how to grow and work.

People with Down's syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of 46. This can change how their bodies grow and how they learn.

Many people with Down's syndrome can do many things. They can go to school, play with friends, and work when they grow up. They might just need some extra help.

If you want to know more or need help, talking to a doctor or a teacher can be a good idea.

How many people have Down’s syndrome?

Can we find out if a baby has Down's syndrome before they are born?

Yes, doctors can check if a baby has Down's syndrome before they are born.

They can do tests to find out. These tests can help parents get ready and know what to expect.

Talking to doctors or nurses can help parents understand the tests better.

What do people with Down's syndrome look like?

People with Down's syndrome can look a bit different. Some common things you might notice are:

• They might have eyes that slant upwards.
• They may have a flat nose and a small mouth.
• Some have a single line across the palm of their hand.
• They can have small ears and a short neck.
• They might have lower muscle strength and be shorter in height.

If you need help reading, try:

• Using pictures to understand words.
• Asking someone to read with you.
• Listening to stories about people with Down's syndrome.

Do all people with Down's syndrome have trouble learning?

Some people with Down's syndrome can have trouble learning new things. This is called a learning disability.

Not everyone with Down's syndrome has the same type of learning trouble. Some might need extra help, while others may learn things more easily.

If you or someone you know has Down's syndrome, there are things that can help:

• Using simple words and pictures to help understand.
• Going to special classes or getting extra time to learn.
• Using apps or tools made to help with learning.

What early help is there for children with Down's syndrome?

There are ways to help children with Down's syndrome when they are young. This help makes learning easier for them.

Some helpful things you can do are:

• Therapies: Speech, physical, and occupational therapies can help with talking, moving, and everyday skills.
• Special Teachers: Teachers trained to help kids with learning needs can make learning fun and easier.
• Games and Activities: Play games that help with learning and social skills.
• Family Support Groups: Join groups to share tips and talk with other families.
• Visual Aids: Use pictures and signs to help with communication.

These help children with Down's syndrome grow and learn.

What health problems can people with Down’s syndrome have?

Can people with Down's syndrome live on their own?

Yes, some people with Down's syndrome can live on their own. They may need help and support, like having a friend check on them or someone to help with shopping.

Here are some tools and techniques that can help:

• Picture cards to remember tasks
• A calendar to plan activities
• Apps for reminders and lists

Everyone is different, and some people may need more help than others. But with support, people with Down's syndrome can do many things on their own.

How can families and carers help people with Down's syndrome?

Families and carers can help people with Down's syndrome in these ways:

• Talk and listen: Spend time talking and listening. Use simple words.
• Be patient: Give them time to understand and respond.
• Play and have fun: Play games together. This helps learning.
• Help with routines: Make a daily plan. Routines help feel safe.
• Encourage learning: Support with schoolwork. Use learning tools like pictures and songs.
• Stay active: Exercise together. Try walking, dancing, or sports.
• Be supportive: Cheer for them and celebrate achievements.

Tools that can help include:

• Visual aids: Use pictures and charts.
• Apps and games: Find educational apps on tablets.

Remember, every person is different. Find what works best for them!

How long do people with Down's syndrome usually live?

People with Down's syndrome can live a long time.

Many people with Down's syndrome live into their 60s. Some can live even longer.

If you want to learn more, you can talk to a doctor or find books and videos for better help.

What are the best ways to help children with Down syndrome learn?

Children with Down syndrome may learn in different ways. Here are some tips to help them:

• Use pictures and videos. These can make learning fun and easy.
• Break tasks into small steps. Doing one thing at a time can help.
• Use simple words. Short and clear sentences are better.
• Repeat things often. This helps with remembering.
• Be patient and give lots of praise. It makes learning happy.

Some tools can be helpful:

• Use flashcards for learning new words.
• Play learning games on tablets.
• Read books with lots of pictures.
• Use songs and rhymes to remember things.

Can people with Down's syndrome have jobs?

Yes, people with Down's syndrome can have jobs. They can work just like other people.

Many people with Down's syndrome have different kinds of jobs. They can work in shops, offices, or restaurants.

People with Down's syndrome might need some help at work. This help can come from special job coaches or teachers.

Tools like pictures, simple words, and step-by-step guides can make learning a job easier.

How does Down's syndrome affect family life?

Down's syndrome is when a person is born with an extra copy of a certain chromosome. This can make learning, talking, and doing things a bit harder for them.

Having a family member with Down's syndrome can change family life. People might need to spend more time helping and supporting them. Families might also learn a lot about patience, love, and understanding.

Here are some ways to make things easier:

• Use clear and simple words when talking.
• Have a routine to help everyone know what to expect.
• Ask for help from teachers, doctors, or support groups when needed.
• Play and have fun together to build strong family bonds.

Help for Families with Children Who Have Down's Syndrome in the UK

What help can families get if their child has Down's syndrome in the UK?

Families can find support from many places:

• You can talk to a doctor for advice and information.
• Some groups and charities help families. They give tips and support.
• Schools and teachers can help your child learn. They can make learning easier.
• Other families with children who have Down's syndrome can share their stories and help you.
• You can find help online or in books to understand Down's syndrome better.

Talking and sharing with others can help families feel better and learn more.

Can grown-ups with Down's syndrome have boyfriends or girlfriends and get married?

Yes, they can. People with Down's syndrome can have boyfriends or girlfriends. They can also get married if they want to. Like everyone else, they can love and care for each other.

But sometimes they might need extra help or support. They might need help to understand their feelings or to plan a wedding.

Here are some ways to help:

• Talk to them about their feelings.
• Help them learn what it means to be in a relationship.
• Support them in making safe choices.
• Help them meet new friends or join groups.

Remember, it's important to listen to what they want and how they feel.

What is Down's syndrome?

Down's syndrome is when a person is born with an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are like tiny instruction books in our bodies. They tell our bodies how to grow and work.

People with Down's syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of 46. This can change how their bodies grow and how they learn.

Many people with Down's syndrome can do many things. They can go to school, play with friends, and work when they grow up. They might just need some extra help.

If you want to know more or need help, talking to a doctor or a teacher can be a good idea.

How many people have Down’s syndrome?

Can we find out if a baby has Down's syndrome before they are born?

Yes, doctors can check if a baby has Down's syndrome before they are born.

They can do tests to find out. These tests can help parents get ready and know what to expect.

Talking to doctors or nurses can help parents understand the tests better.

What do people with Down's syndrome look like?

People with Down's syndrome can look a bit different. Some common things you might notice are:

• They might have eyes that slant upwards.
• They may have a flat nose and a small mouth.
• Some have a single line across the palm of their hand.
• They can have small ears and a short neck.
• They might have lower muscle strength and be shorter in height.

If you need help reading, try:

• Using pictures to understand words.
• Asking someone to read with you.
• Listening to stories about people with Down's syndrome.

Do all people with Down's syndrome have trouble learning?

Some people with Down's syndrome can have trouble learning new things. This is called a learning disability.

Not everyone with Down's syndrome has the same type of learning trouble. Some might need extra help, while others may learn things more easily.

If you or someone you know has Down's syndrome, there are things that can help:

• Using simple words and pictures to help understand.
• Going to special classes or getting extra time to learn.
• Using apps or tools made to help with learning.

What early help is there for children with Down's syndrome?

There are ways to help children with Down's syndrome when they are young. This help makes learning easier for them.

Some helpful things you can do are:

• Therapies: Speech, physical, and occupational therapies can help with talking, moving, and everyday skills.
• Special Teachers: Teachers trained to help kids with learning needs can make learning fun and easier.
• Games and Activities: Play games that help with learning and social skills.
• Family Support Groups: Join groups to share tips and talk with other families.
• Visual Aids: Use pictures and signs to help with communication.

These help children with Down's syndrome grow and learn.

What health problems can people with Down’s syndrome have?

Can people with Down's syndrome live on their own?

Yes, some people with Down's syndrome can live on their own. They may need help and support, like having a friend check on them or someone to help with shopping.

Here are some tools and techniques that can help:

• Picture cards to remember tasks
• A calendar to plan activities
• Apps for reminders and lists

Everyone is different, and some people may need more help than others. But with support, people with Down's syndrome can do many things on their own.

How can families and carers help people with Down's syndrome?

Families and carers can help people with Down's syndrome in these ways:

• Talk and listen: Spend time talking and listening. Use simple words.
• Be patient: Give them time to understand and respond.
• Play and have fun: Play games together. This helps learning.
• Help with routines: Make a daily plan. Routines help feel safe.
• Encourage learning: Support with schoolwork. Use learning tools like pictures and songs.
• Stay active: Exercise together. Try walking, dancing, or sports.
• Be supportive: Cheer for them and celebrate achievements.

Tools that can help include:

• Visual aids: Use pictures and charts.
• Apps and games: Find educational apps on tablets.

Remember, every person is different. Find what works best for them!

How long do people with Down's syndrome usually live?

People with Down's syndrome can live a long time.

Many people with Down's syndrome live into their 60s. Some can live even longer.

If you want to learn more, you can talk to a doctor or find books and videos for better help.

What are the best ways to help children with Down syndrome learn?

Children with Down syndrome may learn in different ways. Here are some tips to help them:

• Use pictures and videos. These can make learning fun and easy.
• Break tasks into small steps. Doing one thing at a time can help.
• Use simple words. Short and clear sentences are better.
• Repeat things often. This helps with remembering.
• Be patient and give lots of praise. It makes learning happy.

Some tools can be helpful:

• Use flashcards for learning new words.
• Play learning games on tablets.
• Read books with lots of pictures.
• Use songs and rhymes to remember things.

Can people with Down's syndrome have jobs?

Yes, people with Down's syndrome can have jobs. They can work just like other people.

Many people with Down's syndrome have different kinds of jobs. They can work in shops, offices, or restaurants.

People with Down's syndrome might need some help at work. This help can come from special job coaches or teachers.

Tools like pictures, simple words, and step-by-step guides can make learning a job easier.

How does Down's syndrome affect family life?

Down's syndrome is when a person is born with an extra copy of a certain chromosome. This can make learning, talking, and doing things a bit harder for them.

Having a family member with Down's syndrome can change family life. People might need to spend more time helping and supporting them. Families might also learn a lot about patience, love, and understanding.

Here are some ways to make things easier:

• Use clear and simple words when talking.
• Have a routine to help everyone know what to expect.
• Ask for help from teachers, doctors, or support groups when needed.
• Play and have fun together to build strong family bonds.

Help for Families with Children Who Have Down's Syndrome in the UK

What help can families get if their child has Down's syndrome in the UK?

Families can find support from many places:

• You can talk to a doctor for advice and information.
• Some groups and charities help families. They give tips and support.
• Schools and teachers can help your child learn. They can make learning easier.
• Other families with children who have Down's syndrome can share their stories and help you.
• You can find help online or in books to understand Down's syndrome better.

Talking and sharing with others can help families feel better and learn more.

Can grown-ups with Down's syndrome have boyfriends or girlfriends and get married?

Yes, they can. People with Down's syndrome can have boyfriends or girlfriends. They can also get married if they want to. Like everyone else, they can love and care for each other.

But sometimes they might need extra help or support. They might need help to understand their feelings or to plan a wedding.

Here are some ways to help:

• Talk to them about their feelings.
• Help them learn what it means to be in a relationship.
• Support them in making safe choices.
• Help them meet new friends or join groups.

Remember, it's important to listen to what they want and how they feel.