People With Down Syndrome Find Happiness
All people with Down syndrome can’t be expected to be math wizards or complete high school social studies exams. However, early integration for Down syndrome children is extremely important in helping them achieve successes and set realistic goals. Being exposed to many different subjects and hobbies is also important, as Down syndrome research suggests, since many are prodigies in art or music. The more children are exposed to early on, the more chance they have for living productive, fulfilling lives.
People who are afflicted with Down syndrome encounter many physical challenges that others do not. Their motor skill development is slow, so they will learn to breastfeed, roll over, walk and talk, as well as teeth later than other children their age. This can be frustrating for both the Down syndrome child and the parents who are repeatedly confronted with their own mistaken expectations. Another physical risk is, of course, the associated health problems. Many babies with Down syndrome undergo heart, ear and eye surgeries before one year of age. There are later risks of epilepsy, obesity, heart disease, ear infections, thyroid disease, throat infections, pneumonia and osteoarthritis.
There will be developmental challenges for people with Down syndrome in the years that lie ahead, but with early intervention some adults with Down syndrome can live relatively independently. Challenges later in life are much like challenges others face; the trials and tribulations of the dating world, finding a job, or living on one’s own. However, with Down syndrome it’s just a little bit harder. It’s true that prejudice and cruelty has decreased significantly just over the last 20 years and there are more community programs now than ever to help facilitate career advancement and normalization. Yet results vary from place to place and situation to situation. Down syndrome support can be sought for those who will never lead independent lives.
One of the things that people with Down syndrome still struggle with is public misperceptions about their condition. For instance, they are often stereotyped as being always happy or “out of it,” when in reality Down syndrome children experience a full range of emotions and have quite unique personality traits. However, there are certain coping strategies that work better. For example, routine and order help them control their lives better. Additionally, self-talk helps them communicate, express themselves and make sense of what’s going on. People with learning disabilities generally rebuke change, which has led to the misperception that they are stubborn by nature. Perhaps they are simply trying to understand what’s going on and maintain control in their lives. Perhaps they just need a little extra patience from those around them.
