Post #3 I borrowed from one of my posts for October, 2011. It’s packed with answers to some of those uncomfortable questions I talked about yesterday. At the bottom, I’ve attached links to a few great sites, such as the NADS (National Association for Down Syndrome),  for more facts on Down Syndrome. Please check one or all of them out.

Here are corrections to some of the most common myths and misinterpretations about Down Syndrome.

Down Syndrome is NOT a rare genetic disorder. It’s actually the most common genetic condition. About 1 in 691 babies is born with Down syndrome and over 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the US each year. Currently, it is estimated that there are over 400,000 individuals with Down syndrome in the United States.

More than 90% of the time, Down syndrome is caused by trisomy 21. A child with trisomy 21 has three copies of chromosome 21 — instead of the usual two copies — in all of his or her cells. This form of Down syndrome is caused by abnormal cell division during the development of the sperm cell or the egg cell. It is not an “inherited” condition, passed down from generation to generation.

The only well known risk factor for conceiving a child with Down syndrome is advanced maternal age. The older the woman is at conception, the greater the possibility of having a child with Down syndrome.

People with Down Syndrome are NOT dumb. They go to regular schools, graduate from high school, and many go on to college.

People with Down Syndrome are NOT institutionalized. On several occasions, college students on campus where we live have asked if Italy “has the right kind of institutions” for Annie. I am glad my family has been given the opportunity to correct this misconception in the young impressionable minds of the students we interact with each year.

Adults with Down Syndrome are NOT unemployable. They are contributing members of society and hold jobs of a variety of skill levels.

People with Down Syndrome are NOT always happy. They have and experience all the same emotions as the rest of us. Their feelings get hurt just as easily as everyone else.

Children with Down Syndrome do NOT have to be placed in segregated special education classrooms. Children with Down Syndrome can attend regular classes, some do not need assistance from classroom  aides.

Children with Down Syndrome are NOT unwanted. There are many people who REALLY want to add a child with Down Syndrome to their family. There is an enormous waiting list  specifically for the adoption of children with Down Syndrome.