Down's syndrome
From Wikipedia, a free encyclopedia written in simple English for easy reading.
Down syndrome (also called Down's syndrome or trisomy 21) is a disease. It comes from a problem with the genes. People who have it have an additional copy of a chromosome, chromosome 21. Sometimes it is not the whole chromosome they have twice, but only part of it.
Children who have this condition usually have trouble learning things. They also grow differently than other children. In many cases, the disease can be identified at birth because of a strange expression in the face of the baby. The disease is named after John Langdon Down, the British doctor who first described it in 1866.
Doctors usually classify people with the disease as mildly to moderately retarded. Some people with the disease have average intelligence, but may have other problems with development instead. A lot of people with Down's syndrome have a different shape to their eyes than most people. They may think very concretely (and not in abstract terms), or look naive to other people. A few people with the disease have very heavy mental retardation.
About 1 baby of 800 to 1000 babies has this problem.
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[edit] Well known people with the disease
Notable people with Down syndrome include:
- Chris Burke, actor (Life Goes On) and autobiographer
- Anne de Gaulle (1928-1948), daughter of Charles de Gaulle
- Pascal Duquenne, actor (Le Huitième Jour aka The Eighth Day, Toto le héros aka Toto the Hero)
- Stephane Ginnsz, actor (Duo (film)) First actor with Down syndrome in the lead part of a motion picture.
- Joey Moss, Edmonton Oilers Locker room attendant
- Judith Scott, artist
- Miguel Tomasin, singer with Argentinian avant-rock band Reynols
The Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles has a more complete list of individuals with Down syndrome in roles in TV and movies.
[edit] Portrayal in fiction
- Bret Lott: Jewel
- Morris West: The Clowns of God
- Bernice Rubens: A Solitary Grief
- Emily Perl Kingsley: Welcome to Holland
- The Kingdom and its American counterpart, Kingdom Hospital
- Elizabeth Laird: Red Sky in the Morning
- Stephen King: Dreamcatcher
- Dean Koontz: The Bad Place
- Flannery O'Connor: The Violent Bear It Away
- William Faulkner: Benjamin Compson in The Sound and the Fury
[edit] Bibliography
- Beck, M.N. (1999). Expecting Adam, New York: Berkley Books.
- Buckley, S. (2000). Living with Down Syndrome, Portsmouth, UK: The Down Syndrome Educational Trust.
- Down Syndrome Research Foundation (2005). Bright Beginnings: A Guide for New Parents, Buckinghamshire, UK: Down Syndrome Research Foundation.
- Hassold, T.J.; D. Patterson (1999). editors, Down Syndrome: A Promising Future, Together, New York: Wiley Liss.
- Kingsley, J.; M. Levitz (1994). Count us in — Growing up with Down Syndrome, San Diago: Harcourt Brace.
- Pueschel, S.M.; M. Sustrova (1997). editors, Adolescents with Down Syndrome: Toward a More Fulfilling Life, Baltimore, MD USA: Paul H. Brookes.
- Selikowitz, M. (1997). Down Syndrome: The Facts, 2nd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Van Dyke, D.C.; P.J. Mattheis; S. Schoon Eberly; and J. Williams (1995). Medical and Surgical Care for Children with Down Syndrome, Bethesda, MD USA: Woodbine House.
- Zuckoff, M. (2002). Choosing Naia: A Family's Journey, New York: Beacon Press.
[edit] External links
For comprehensive lists of Down syndrome links see
- Directory of Down Syndrome Internet Sites (US based, but contains international links)
- UK resources for Down's syndrome
[edit] Societies and Associations
By Country
- Canadian Down Syndrome Society (Canada)
- Down Syndrome Research Foundation web site (Canada)
- Down's Syndrome Association web site (UK)
- Down's Syndrome Research Foundation (UK)
- National Down Syndrome Society web site (USA)
- National Down Syndrome Congress web site (USA)
- International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association (USA)
[edit] Conferences
- 9th World Down Syndrome Congress (2006, Vancouver)
- Bright Beginnings Conference for Parents and Professionals (2006, London) -- Report
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