Facts about Down syndrome
- Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition in humans.
- Down syndrome occurs when a person’s cells contain 47 chromosomes instead of 46.
- The cause of Down syndrome is unknown. Nothing a mother does or doesn’t do during pregnancy causes Down syndrome.
- Down syndrome occurs about once in every 691 births in the United States. It is not related to race, nationality, religion or socio-economic status.
- About 5,000 people are born with Down syndrome in the U.S. each year.
While age in the mother can be a factor, 80% of people with Down syndrome are born to mothers under 35, the average age being 26. - Down syndrome occurs evenly in males and females.
- Down syndrome results in some degree of developmental disability and there may or may not be other medical issues.
- Life expectancy for an individual with Down syndrome is on average 55-60 years.
What we know about people with Down syndrome
- Every person with Down syndrome is unique, with his/her own personality, talents and thoughts.
- People with Down syndrome are more similar to other people than they are different.
- They thrive in loving homes and benefit from early intervention, medical care and positive public attitudes.
- They can attend neighborhood schools with their peers.
- They are holding competitive jobs and living in the community.
- They are dancers, skiers, swimmers, office workers, childcare providers and so much more……
Community acceptance flyers/handouts for supporters
List resources for parents of children with disabilities
Adjusting to and understanding a prenatal diagnosis
- Down Syndrome Pregnancy
- Download FREE booklet called “Understanding a Down Syndrome Diagnosis”
- Down Syndrome diagnosis network
- Brighter Tomorrows – Information about Down Syndrome for families who have just received a diagnosis
- Dear Future Mom Video
- Light at the End of the Tunnel
- The unexpected – Stories of a Down Syndrome Diagnosis
- For Family Members – Your Loved One is Having a Baby with Down Syndrome
New parents resources
Enrichment and local therapeutic services
- Schafer Sports Center Special Needs Programming – Ewing Township, NJ
- Miracle League Mercer County NJ – Baseball Program
- Young Athletes Program – Special Olympics – throughout the state
- GIGI Playhouse Achievement Center – Hillsborough, NJ
- Down Syndrome Group Gymnastics Program – Pennington, NJ
- Therapeutic Horseback Riding with an Occupational Therapist – Pennington, NJ
Adult programming/services
- 21 Plus – Social, respite, Residential, Adult training – Toms River, NJ
- Allies Inc, Dedicated to housing, employment and recreational support Hamilton, NJ
- Disability Allies- Teen and Adult Recreational, socialization, and Transitional Services East Brunswick, NJ
- NJ mentor – Day Program/Community Program/Residential
- Easter Seals – Day Training Programs/residential Group Homes
- ARC Programs/Recreations/Residences in State of NJ
- Transportation Services
- Resume Building Guide for People with Disabilities
New Jersey organizations
- New Jersey Early Intervention System
- NJ Department of Children and Families (up to age 21)
- NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (age 21 and up)
- The Arc of New Jersey
- The Arc Mercer
- SPAN
- Mercer County Family Support Organization
- NJCIE – New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education, Inc.
- Special Olympics New Jersey
- Useful site for links to NJ resources (sports, therapy, etc.)
Medical links
- Health Supervision for Children with Down syndrome, published in the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Updated growth chart for Down Syndrome
- NDSS Down Syndrome Health Care Guidelines
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Trisomy 21 Program
- The JUDY Center for Down Syndrome (at Hackensack University Medical Center)
- Down Syndrome: Health Issues – Dr. Len Leshin
- LuMind Foundation (Down syndrome cognition research)
- NVISION Eyesight & Down Syndrome
Other New Jersey support groups
- 21 Down
- Billy’s Buddies (offered through YMCA of Wyckoff, NJ)
- Bringing Up Down Syndrome of Southern New Jersey
- Central New Jersey Down Syndrome Parent Advocacy Group
- Down Syndrome Group of Northwest New Jersey
- Family Resource Associates, Inc.
- Jersey Shore Down Syndrome Association
- KIIDS (Knowledge and Information About Individuals With Down Syndrome)
- Network 21
On-line down syndrome discussion groups
Useful sites
- Global Down Syndrome Foundation
- Down Syndrome Education International
- National Down Syndrome Society
- National Down Syndrome Congress
- National Association for Down Syndrome
- Down Syndrome Education Online
- College Options for People With Intellectual Disabilities
- Woodbine House – Special Needs Collection of Books and DVDs
En Espanol
- Spanish Bienvenidos a Holanda
- Spanish NDSC brochure
- Spanish DS Brochure
- Spanish Primeras Preguntas
- Spanish Un bebé es ante todo un bebé
- Spanish Gifts Booklet ESP digital
- Spanish Expectativas de desarrollo y problemas medicos
- Spanish Prenatal Testing Pamphlet
- Spanish Una Luz al Final del Tunel prenatal diagnosis
- Spanish AAP Guidelines
- Spanish DS Healthcare Guidelines
- Spanish Health Care Information for Families of Children with Down Syndrome
- Spanish Aproveche al maximo la hora de jugar
- Spanish Estimule a su hijo
- Spanish Habilidades de la motricidad gruesa en los ninos con sindrome de Down
- Spanish Habilidades de la motricidad gruesa en los ninos con sindrome de Down 2da parte
- Spanish Como pueden ayudar los abuelos
- Spanish Los abuelos en primer plano
- Spanish El rol de los abuelos
- Spanish Pensando en el manana La transicion hacia la vida adulta
- Dental Parent