6 Myths About Down Syndrome We Need to Put to Bed Now

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Down syndrome, named for the English physician John Langdon Down (and referred to properly as Down syndrome as opposed to Down’s) is the most common chromosomal disorder. Down syndrome can present significant physical and mental challenges for the individual. Despite these challenges, having Down syndrome does not mean that a person’s life is any less fulfilling or gratifying. In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, here are six common myths vs. realities about living with Down syndrome.

Myth #1: Children with Down syndrome are happier and/or more affectionate than other children.

Reality: Children with Down syndrome can in fact be happy and affectionate (just like all children), but they are not more happy or more affectionate. They experience a typical wide range of emotions on a daily basis, like all human beings. Children with Down syndrome are not immune to sadness or irritability, and have the same, if not higher, propensities for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Teens with Down syndrome also go through the same tumultuous emotions and hormonal fluctuations that all teens experience.

Myth #2: A child with Down syndrome usually has older parents.

Reality: While the individual odds of giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome increase with advanced maternal age, more babies with Down syndrome are born to younger mothers. In fact, 75% of babies born with Down syndrome are born to women under the age of 35, because women under age 35 give birth to more children. A child with Down syndrome does not always indicate “old” parents.

Myth #3: Children with Down syndrome are a burden to their families.

Reality: This is absolutely untrue. Some very rich, incredibly fulfilling familial relationships involve having a child with Down syndrome. These family dynamics are just like any other, complete with inside jokes, laughter, and sibling rivalry. Children with Down syndrome enjoy imaginative play, interactive games, and other forms of entertainment, such as movies and television, making them active participants in their households’ activities. Children with Down syndrome are not viewed as burdens, but as very loved and valued members of their families.

Myth #4: All Down syndrome looks the same.

Reality: Not only are there three different types of Down syndrome: trisomy 21 (most common), translocation (second most common), and mosaic (rarest form), it is also not a “one size fits all” condition that presents the same in every individual. There are infinite possibilities for how Down syndrome may present, since each child with Down syndrome is a unique human being. Although children with Down syndrome may have physical characteristics such as hypotonia (low muscle tone), an upward slant to the eyes, or a smaller stature, not all do. It is important to understand that these features, when present, are few, and children with Down syndrome actually share many more physical and personality traits with members of their own families than they do other children with Down syndrome.

Myth #5: Having Down syndrome means a child will never be able to thrive amongst same-age peers in a traditional classroom environment.

Reality: While it is true that most children with Down syndrome do require varying levels of educational support and assistance, thanks to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s least restrictive environment, having Down syndrome does not mean that a child will be confined to a special education classroom. Least restrictive environment refers to a component of federal law that requires students with disabilities receive as much of their education as possible alongside same-aged peers in a regular education environment to the fullest extent appropriate. There are many children with Down syndrome that spend some (and sometimes a majority) of their school day in regular education classrooms with other same-age peers, which has the added benefit of enabling them to form healthy social bonds across a variety of educational settings.

Myth #6: A child with Down syndrome always has severe intellectual disability, and will never lead an independent life.

Reality: Severe intellectual disability is considered to be cognitive functioning at the second percentile or below, and Down syndrome cognitive impairment is generally only mild to moderate, not severe. This means that having Down syndrome absolutely does not mean a life lived without independence or satisfying personal experiences. Many people with Down syndrome are able to hold regular jobs, and not only earn an income, but thrive independently with minimal assistance from friends or family. In addition to jobs, people with Down syndrome also have interpersonal friendships and hobbies that they regularly enjoy. Having Down syndrome is not an affliction, it is simply one of many beautiful ways to experience the world.