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.