Downs Syndrome Poses Obesity Risk By Phillip Longmire

Having a wife that works with life skill students I know there are all type of problems that arise with special needs students. Its sad because with students and or adults who have special needs will struggle with those needs their entire life, and now obesity seems to be just one more issue. I'm not sure there is an answer to this problem, but it seems that those who have Down's Syndrome posse obesity risk.

If your not sure what Downs Syndrome is, let me give you a working definition. It is a congenital disorder, caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome, in which the affected person has mild to moderate mental retardation, short stature, and a flattened facial profile. Also called trisomy

New research has shown that people who suffer from Down's Syndrome are more likely to become obese than those who do not have the condition.

Using families which had both children who had Down's Syndrome and brothers or sisters who did not, scientists were able to ensure that eating patterns offered by parents were very similar and that lifestyle choices and habits accrued as adults would not interfere with the study.

Monitoring 35 children with Down's Syndrome and 33 of their siblings who were free of the condition, researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that the Down's children had significantly higher body mass index and a higher percentage of body fat.

It was discovered that Down's Syndrome children had higher levels of leptin, a hormone linked to obesity, than their unaffected siblings. "The normal role of leptin is to suppress appetite and regulate body weight," explained senior author Dr Nicolas Stettler in the Jouranl of Paediatrics. "In general, obese people have higher levels of leptin, which suggests that they have some leptin resistance - their bodies do not respond to the hormone properly. Because Down's Syndrome is a chromosome disorder, children with Down's Syndrome may have a genetic predisposition to more severe leptin resistance."

Co-author Dr Sheela N Magge added: "Although the study had an advantage in including siblings as a control group, because this decreases the influence of different environments on children with or without Down's Syndrome, the sample size was limited, so larger studies are necessary. However, our findings may point to a useful approach to understanding why obesity often occurs in Down's Syndrome."

Around 60,000 people in the UK have Down's Syndrome and various charities have produced information for people with learning difficulties to advise them about making healthy eating choices which could help until more research is carried out.

I think as we advance in the fight against obesity and realize the effects it has, perhaps in the future this could be one less thing that people with special needs will have to battle. Because it seems in the earlier stages that people with Down's Syndrome poses obesity risk.

Do You Understand a Child With Down Syndrome? By Mike Selvon

Cathy Morgan, a mother of a child with Down syndrome, recalls when she received the initial diagnosis of Down syndrome from the doctor: "Her message was 'Legally, you have 24 weeks to terminate the pregnancy and you should do it sooner rather than later because it will be more difficult on you if you wait,' and you're sort of taken aback."

She said that she was scared, nervous and disappointed at first but abortion was never an option for her. Now that she has three-year-old Eddie, she couldn't imagine life without him. Raising any child is not any easy job, whether they have 46 chromosomes or 47.

At home, your attitude is critical to your child's development. Here are some Down syndrome facts. While acceptance and social normalcy are a reality now more than ever, your child will still face hurdles with cruel children at school.

A Down child is also susceptible to depression, so your love and acceptance is very important. Many parents attend support group meetings through the National Down Syndrome Society to learn how to better care for their Down syndrome child and to address any negative emotions.

Patience is more than just a virtue here; it is an absolute necessity. While your child may learn to breast feed, roll over, walk and talk later than his or her peers, you will still find these achievements just as significant.

Set aside time each day to practice daily skills like getting dressed, using silverware or helping with chores. Being organized with a routine, as well as a system of lists, behavior contracts and rewards is the best way to encourage your child against the effects of Down syndrome.

As your child with Down syndrome gets older, grooming, hygiene and sexuality become very important issues. There are many books you can get that will help you explain these awkward topics to disabled children in ways they understand. Ensuring that your child attends school well-groomed and properly cared for will have a strong impact on how other adolescents perceive him or her, so this area cannot be ignored.

Boys must learn that erections are natural, and what to do when one arises. They must also learn that public masturbation is against the law, as well as socially unacceptable. Girls must learn about the changes their bodies go through as well and must understand how to use pads, as well as how to have respect for their bodies. Like any other teens, Down syndrome children will want to date, socialize and develop intimacy, so be sure to address these issues.

Know the health risks of your child with Down syndrome. Find a good medical practitioner who specializes in Down syndrome obstacles. Heart defects, visual impairments, hearing problems and difficulty breathing are all common ailments children with Down syndrome may face. Diet is also very important for the disabled. Be aware that obesity can be a problem, and that high-sugar/additives/preservatives may be upsetting.

Try a natural diet with alpha-ketoglutaric acid supplements. You may also need to limit dairy if your child is prone to ear infections. Additionally, a Down syndrome child may sleep poorly, with frequent awakenings and interrupted REM sleep. This could lead to more difficulty focusing and learning, research suggests. Discuss treatment options with your health care practitioner if you suspect this condition may be prevalent.

Achieving Your Full Potential Through Down Syndrome Awareness By Mike Selvon

The main goal of Down syndrome understanding is to celebrate the diversity of life and promote the acceptance of families and individuals with the condition. Lobbyists ensure that adults with Down syndrome have equal opportunity access to housing, schooling and jobs.

Organizations, like the National Down Syndrome Society, have helped people with Down syndrome fight for their legal rights and lobby for better educational programs. At its core, Down syndrome awareness is about enabling everyone to achieve his or her full potential, despite a disability.

The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is "to benefit people with this disability and their families through national leadership in education, research and advocacy." They feel that everyone has the right to reach their potential and that people with such a disability should have the opportunity to make choices affecting their lives.

Part of Down syndrome knowledge is pushing for better educational programs to help children with Down syndrome achieve their goals. Through the organization, parents can collect valuable resources and connect with local support groups. Down syndrome children can link up with local programs sponsored in part by NDSS, where they can foster a love of art, music or sports and gain the necessary tools to live a relatively independent life.

In addition to Chris Burke, from "Life Goes On" and "Touched by an Angel," there are many other notable individuals with this disability who are ambassadors for Down Syndrome Awareness and serve as inspiration for Down syndrome children, adults and families. Actors include: Stephane Ginnsz (Duo), Max Lewis (Notes on a Scandal), Edward Barbanell (The Ringer) and award winner Paula Sage (AfterLife, BBC Scotland's River City soap).

Additionally, Joey Moss works as a locker room attendant for the Edmonton Oilers, Judith Scott works as an artist, Miguel Tomasin is the singer for the Argentinian rock band "Reynols" and Karen Gaffney works as a swimmer and motivational speaker. There are also people with such a disability who are children of famous people, like Isabella Pujols, the adopted daughter of the St. Louis Cardinal's first basemen, or Johnny Stallings, son of former University of Alabama football coach Gene Stallings.

Down Syndrome Awareness has brought great medical advances in just thirty short years. Every day doctors are learning more and more about how the condition works genetically, as therapists learn better techniques for teaching the developmentally disabled. Perhaps one day there will be a pre-natal treatment to remove the extra genetic material on chromosome 21, or perhaps children and adults with Down syndrome will just become more valued by society, thanks to organizations, methods of inclusion and awareness campaigns.

The History Behind Down Syndrome Genetics By Mike Selvon

One in 1,000 American babies is born with the Down syndrome genetic condition, although it is estimated that 90% of the mothers who receive an early diagnosis choose abortion. There are many fallacies about people with Down syndrome that scare parents into making a rash decision. Most adults with Down syndrome live independently, marry, have jobs and live past their fifties nowadays.

There are many ways the genetic data of Down syndrome can be damaged or rearranged. For example, in trisomy 21, one parent has two chromosomes located at chromosome #21, rather than one, causing the child to receive two chromosomes from one parent and one from the other parent for a total of three. The Down syndrome child will then have 47 chromosomes, instead of 46. This occurs in 90% of all Down syndrome cases.

With Mosaic syndrome disorder, chromosome 21 gets damaged during cell replication, where two normal chromosomes become three in some cells. People with this disorder have some cells with 46 chromosomes and some cells with 47 and their symptoms may be less severe.

This occurs in 2% of all Down syndrome cases. The last type of Down syndrome is called Translocation and occurs when a normal chromosome breaks into two pieces and attaches to another chromosome. This occurs in 3-4% of all Down patients.

Prior to pregnancy, parents can meet with a genetic counselor to determine their risk of passing on a Down syndrome genetic code. Sometimes disorders run in the family, if more than one person has the condition. In other cases, mothers over the age of 35 may have an increased risk for having Down syndrome babies or, in rare instances, environmental factors can play a part.

Some Down syndrome research suggests that smoking while being on birth control can cause the syndrome, although it is debated in some circles. Once pregnant, a woman can go for ultrasound, non-invasive blood tests or undergo amniocentesis for a more accurate assessment.

The severity of Down syndrome varies greatly from person to person. There is not much Down syndrome genetic research on the specific differences between trisomy 21, Translocation and Mosaic syndrome, at present. However, a 1991 report suggested that children with Mosaic syndrome had a mean IQ of 12 points higher than children with typical Down syndrome.

Yet some children with typical Down syndrome still scored higher, which underscores the uniqueness of every child. The Department of Human Genetics at the Medical College of Virginia reported that children with Mosaic syndrome reached their motor milestones earlier than children with typical DS, but speech development was equally delayed in both test groups.

Toilet Training Children With Down Syndrome by: Jane Orville

Most parents wonder how their children with Down syndrome will learn to become toilet trained. This is understandably an anxious time for a parent, as you might be thinking about sending your child to a preschool program and wonder if he will ever be out of diapers. Teaching any child to use the toilet can be a frustrating time for parents, and the child, but if you relax and remember that you cannot “make” him learn before he is ready, he will leave those diapers behind someday.

One professional suggests taking a few days to document your child’s voiding schedule. Check his diaper every twenty to thirty minutes to see when he is going, and what (urine, bowel movement). When data is taken for a few days and you can see some semblance of a pattern, you will want to schedule toilet times for those specific times of the day.

One suggestion is to give your child some fluids to drink about 15 to 20 minutes before you plan on toileting him. Tell your child he is going to use the toilet, and if needed, use the sign for it and help him make the sign.

Make his toilet training experience pleasant. Have books available for looking at during this time, and keep the toileting time short, about 7 or 8 minutes at the most. If your child does not void during this time, don’t force it or use an unpleasant or frustrated tone. Have him get off and then try again at the next scheduled time.

A lot of praise is necessary when toilet training your child, especially for a child who has Down syndrome. Giving an edible reinforcement might be tried, but this can lead to the child expecting something to eat every time he has success on the toilet. Since children with Down syndrome already may struggle with weight issues, it is recommended that reinforcements such as verbal praise, hugs, high fives be used instead.

Some parents may have expectations for their child in the area of toilet training that are too high. Remember that not only is your child delayed mentally, he also may lack the proper muscle control at the average age that an “average” child is toilet trained. He will eventually learn this too; it will be on his own individual timetable.

Night training may be even further behind the average child’s schedule. Manufacturers are now making disposable underwear (commonly called “pull-ups”) in sizes large enough to accommodate a child up to 125 pounds. This does not mean that your child will be night trained so much later, but he just might not learn until he is that size, and you need to be aware of that fact.

“Megan was a few months older than four when she was toilet trained during the day, and in retrospect, I wish I had relaxed more with her in the preceding years in trying to get her trained. I felt a lot of pressure from other people, but you can’t “make” her learn something until she is ready to learn it. She wasn’t night trained until she was ten and a half. It just happened when it did, and that’s all there is to it,” says Valerie, mother of a 17 year old daughter with Down syndrome.