Down syndrome - Simple English Wikipedia

# Down syndrome

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A child with Down syndrome

Down syndrome (also called Down's syndrome or trisomy 21) is a genetic disorder. It comes from a problem with the genes. People that have the condition have an additional copy of chromosome 21. Sometimes it is not the whole chromosome they have twice, but only part of it.

Children who have this condition take more time to learn new things. They also grow differently than other children. Babies with Down syndrome can be identified at birth because they look a little different from other babies. The condition is named after John Langdon Down, the British doctor who first described it in 1866.

Doctors in the UK usually classify people with the condition as having a mild to moderate learning difficulty. (In the USA the word retarded is still commonly used, but this is a very rude word in Britain and other English speaking countries.) Some people with the condition have average intelligence, but may have other problems with development instead. People with Down syndrome often 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 condition have severe learning difficulties.

Of every 800 to 1000 babies that are born, one is diagnosed with Down syndrome.

## [edit] Well known people with the condition

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

- Down Syndrome International

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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Categories: Cleanup needed | Genetic disorders | Syndromes

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