Down Syndrome fact or fiction?

Several months ago I came across a few "myths" related to Down syndrome.   I thought I'd weigh in.

1.  Fact:  Children with Down syndrome are only born to older parents?    This was not true in my parent's case as Erik was the first of 4 children and they were very young when he was born in 1960.  I know many cases where parents who were in their 20's and 30's have had children born with Downs.

Fiction: 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35. However, the likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome does increase with the age of the mother.

2.  Fact:  Children with Down syndrome are always happy?  Erik was a very happy baby, my mother says, and for the most part he remained a happy person.  But he had his bad days too like all of us.

Fiction: People with Down syndrome have the same feelings and moods as everyone else.

3.  Fact:  People with Down syndrome cannot form relationships?  Erik was more than able to make friends and enjoy people.  He loved people from the moment he met them and wanted to spend time with them.   He was always inviting people he had just met to his condo to watch football and have a coke.   Today he shakes hands with everyone he meets and is a sociable guy despite his aging mind and body.

Fiction: People with Down syndrome are perfectly capable of forming all types of relationships with people they encounter in their lives, be it friendship, love or dislike.

4.  Fact:  People with Down syndrome cannot have children?  Don't know much about this subject, I have to admit.  Our family never considered Erik having a relationship involving marriage or anything along those lines.  But he definitely had a capacity to love.

Fiction: Women with Down syndrome can and have had children. It has been recorded that two men with Down syndrome have become fathers. The information about fertility in people with Down syndrome is very outdated and based on research in institutions where men and women with intellectual disabilities were kept apart.

5.  Fact:  All people with Down syndrome will eventually develop Alzheimer’s disease (dementia)?  This fact has proven true with our sweet Erik.   He is 51 now but probably operates like someone 20+ years older.   His body and mind has now aged beyond our parents.  I confess I often wonder what the near future holds for him.  This promotes gratitude for the simple things, which is always good.  Like hearing his voice on the phone or seeing him smile and laugh real hard about something.

Fiction: Although many people with Down syndrome do develop dementia in their later years, this is by no means inevitable. Research indicates that the incidence of dementia in people with Down syndrome is similar to that of the general population only that it occurs 20-30 years earlier.

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When Erik was born in the 60's medical care and knowledge about this handicap was so far behind our present day.  Erik's life is such a success story.  Those who have babies with Downs now will have the benefit of advanced care and tons more support from online communities and educators.  I anticipate we'll see those with Down syndrome accomplish things we never could never imagine.  One thing for sure, they forever influence those with whom they share their lives.


here read about Erik's influence on others.
here read about Erik's job at the hospital.