Down Syndrome

Mike Dowling and Adam Bourret

What is Down Syndrome?

 It is the most recognizable genetic condition associated with intellectual disabilities  Is one of three chromosomal abnormalities, the most common one is called trisomy 21

Trisomy 21

 Is the presence of an extra number 21 chromosome  Resulting in 47 chromosomes instead of 46 (23 from each parent)  Can be diagnosed prenatal  Down Syndrome Video

Facts

 1 in 700 children are born with DS    5,000 born in the US each year Fathers are genetically responsible for 25% of all cases Women over the age of 35 present the highest risk (1 in 290)  age 40: 1 in 150 births  At 45: the risk is 1 in 20 births

Characteristics

       short stature poor muscle tone small nose with flat bridge eyes slanted up ward and outward exaggerated folds of skin around eyes mild to moderate obesity under developed respiratory and cardio vascular systems http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_u337ThvlyDw/RehYRcEv 1I/AAAAAAAAANY/np3F2zYMpss/s400/Down+syndrome.bmp

Characteristics

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         short legs and arms in relation to torso short neck small low-set ears small head and flat face broad hands and feet stubby fingers and toes poor balance perceptual difficulties poor vision and audition

Motor Performance

 Delays or deficits  Slowness of movement  Have a smaller overall brain volume  Significant reductions in both cerebrum and cerebellum.

Down Syndrome

 Risk Factors  Age more rapidly  Median Age at death:  Caucasian: 50 years  African American: 25 years  Other Races: 11 years

Teaching Strategies

 Most Individuals with DS do not progress beyond the intellectual capabilities of a 6-8 year old  Don’t assume child in incapable though  Rate of response may also be slower  More repetition is necessary  Short attention span  Distractibility

Effective Strategies

 Effective For Students With DS  Routine  Repetition  Scaffolding  Use of peer partners  Know individual student needs  Reproductive teaching methods  Attention span

Task Analysis

 Helpful in modifying a task for individual needs  Break tasks into smaller steps  Analyze the sequence  Train each step  Ex: Breaking down the steps of how to throw a ball and teaching them in sequence

Pacing

 Students with DS generally have a slower rate of response  Pacing involves both the rate of speaking & moving  Wait Time  Use demonstrations and visuals  Example: After asking a question wait a minimum of 5 seconds for the response

Reinforcement

 Simple yet effective  Low task persistence  More interested in people than objects  Motivated by the praise and encouragement of significant others

Adventure Education

 Promotes positive social skills between students with DS and peers  Promotes high levels of enthusiasm & participation  *Modification Task*

Behavior Management

 Plan  Routine, rules & consequences  Make learning exciting  Positive reinforcement  Should promote independence & self management

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Sources

Fox, S., Farrell. P., & Davis. P. (2004). Factors Associated with the Effective Inclusion of Primary-aged Pupils with Down’s Syndrome.

British Journal of Special Education, 31,

184-191  Grenier, M., Rogers, R., & Iarrusso, K. (2008). Including Students with Down Syndrome in Adventure Programming.

Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 79,

30-36  Klein, M. D., Cook, R. E., & Richardson-Gibbs, A. M. (2001).

Strategies for Including Children with Special Needs in Early Childhood Settings.

USA: Delmar.

 Nadel, L. & Rosenthal, D. (1995).

Down Syndrome: Living and Learning in the Community.

New York: Wiley-Liss, Inc.

 Pueschel, S. (2001).

A Parent’s Guide to Down Syndrome: Toward a Brighter Future.

Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co.  Weeks, D. & Chua, R & Elliot, D. (2000).

Perceptual-Motor Behavior in Down Syndrome

. Library of Congress Cataloging-in Publication Data.

 Winnick, J. P. (2005).

Adapted Physical Education and Sport

(4 th ed.). USA: Human Kinetics.

 Retrieved March 16: http://video.about.com/pediatrics/Down-Syndrome.htm

 Retrieved March 17: http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2008/highschool/02/18/cherry.hill/cougars.jpg

 Retrieved March 17: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_u337ThvlyDw/RehYRcEv 1I/AAAAAAAAANY/np3F2zYMpss/s400/Down+syndrome.bmp

 Retrieved March 15: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_-P4t2jR1g