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How many children are born each year in Israel with Down Syndrome?
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
Many are familiar with the word but do not really know what it contains.
Daphne Berkowitz, an occupational therapist, makes an order and explains what causes the syndrome and what its characteristics are.
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Down Syndrome
Walla!
health
Tuesday, 26 October 2021, 07:42
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Down syndrome is the most common genetic syndrome in the world, and the most common congenital cause of mental and developmental disabilities.
It is caused by the presence of another chromosome 21 in the cell nucleus.
Its incidence is one in 800 births worldwide, with about 150 babies born with Down Syndrome each year in Israel.
What do we know about the children and the people with the slanted eyes and the captivating smile?
Here are answers to some common questions:
1. Is it hereditary?
Down syndrome is not usually hereditary, but results from a disruption in the division of the 21st chromosome in the process of maturing the egg or sperm cell, called trisomy, that is, three copies of chromosome number 21 instead of two.
It is not currently known what causes this disruption, and it cannot be prevented.
Every woman, at any age, can have a child with Down Syndrome.
The degree of risk depends mainly on the age of the mother, and is higher as the mother gets older during pregnancy.
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2. What medical complications are common in children born with Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is characterized by developmental mental retardation, so IQ is relatively low for chronological age.
About 40-50 percent of children with Down Syndrome have a congenital heart defect.
About 50 percent suffer from ear problems, hearing disorders or vision problems.
About 10 percent suffer from thyroid-related problems.
In general, people with Down syndrome are 12 times more likely than the rest of the population to develop infections.
Down syndrome is not usually hereditary.
A girl with Down Syndrome swings on a hammock (Photo: ShutterStock)
3. What are the social characteristics of children with Down Syndrome?
Down children have a good understanding and social skills. Most often, these children seek warmth and closeness from the people around them, showing great sensitivity and empathy towards others. Even if they have difficulty speaking and expressing their language, it is important for them to share experiences and make contact. Many Down Syndrome children love to chat, laugh, sing and dance in the company. Alongside these, a trait that characterizes some of them is stubbornness and mental rigidity. Some have a short attention span that makes it difficult for them to persevere in activity over time.
4. What achievements can children with Down Syndrome achieve?
Down children can have various developmental disabilities, including mental disabilities of varying degrees and medical malformations. These deficiencies affect the level of functioning in various areas of life. A normative and enriching environment, an appropriate educational framework and intensive care from an early age in all areas of development, can help them achieve academic achievement, day-to-day functioning, social skills and work and employment skills.
5. Can people with Down Syndrome fit into the community and work in adulthood?
Parents and the educational and therapeutic framework play an important role in preparing for the adult life of a person with Down Syndrome. Many times parents are the primary caregivers not only at a young age but also later in life. Some of the graduates with Down Syndrome reach adulthood in society and the community in their adulthood and even maintain daily life in independent or sheltered housing, for employment in the community and in some cases for a married life.
Some of the graduates integrate into society and even form a relationship.
Brides at a wedding party in Umm al-Fahm (Photo: Reuven Castro)
6. What research innovations should you know about Down Syndrome?
Recent studies examining new methods to promote the academic achievement of children with Down Syndrome have found that daily reading and structured language teaching can improve their reading and language development.
In addition, the use of technological tools such as learning applications and customized computer games promotes the thinking and learning functions of children with Down syndrome as their strengths are visual-spatial memory and learning through imitation.
So the next time you meet someone with Down Syndrome you will remember that first of all such is a world in its entirety and like all human beings - not everyone is equal and each has its own uniqueness.
The syndrome is indeed characterized by certain limitations, but these are children and people who are looking for what we are all looking for - closeness, warmth, independence and a full life in school / work, family and friends.
Daphne Berkowitz, MSc Occupational Therapist.
OT, the coordinator of the health professions at Hatzohar - a national network for special education frameworks, which aims to provide a professional and emotional response to children and adults with special needs.
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