Understanding Down syndrome
People living with Down syndrome are first and foremost people.
They are men, women and children who live with the condition and its consequences, not usually considering
it to be a cause of suffering.
When given the chances afforded most other children, young people with Down syndrome have repeatedly
shown themselves to be more able than previously thought.
Improving opportunities
Only 40 years ago, most people with Down syndrome were denied essential healthcare or a decent education
and were often subjected to a limited life in institutional care. This is no longer the case in many
societies where the lives of many children and adults with Down syndrome are steadily improving.
Advances in medical care, better understanding of the developmental and educational needs of children
with Down syndrome and increasing social acceptance are providing greater opportunities to grow and
learn, and to participate in society.
Over the past 30 years, our understanding of the difficulties facing people with Down syndrome and how
we can help has improved. At the same time, when given the chances afforded most other children, young
people with Down syndrome have repeatedly shown themselves to be more able than previously thought.
Understanding Down syndrome
An accurate picture of the 'real' impact of Down syndrome on development, cognitive abilities and health
is still unfolding. One of the challenges in determining a clear picture of Down syndrome is disentangling
the consequences of social and educational disadvantage from the consequences of the additional chromosome.
Until the past few decades, most people with Down syndrome received little opportunity to access education
and to lead 'ordinary' lives. Therefore, it is only recently that researchers have been able to examine
more accurately the developmental profile associated with Down syndrome, free from the influences of
exclusion and institutionalisation.
Learning about the developmental profile
In many respects, children with Down syndrome follow developmental trajectories that are similar to
those of their non-disabled peers, though making slower overall progress. However, evidence is accumulating
that points to a profile of developmental strengths and weaknesses that is common among individuals
with Down syndrome.
Understanding this profile is important for designing and evaluating developmental and educational interventions
that are targeted to work with the children's strengths to maximise progress. Further improving our
understanding of this profile is also critical to advancing our understanding of the genetics, biochemistry
and neurology involved in Down syndrome.
Developing and investigating evidence-based approaches to improving outcomes for people with Down syndrome
remains the central challenge for research investigating Down syndrome today.