Common Myths

This post is inspire by a conversation I recently had with a lady about Down syndrome.  I believed some of these myths myself.  From doing research, talking to a mom of three children with Downs and being around them what I found surprised and delighted me.

MYTH: People with Down syndrome have severe mental retardation.
FACT: Most people with Down syndrome have only mild to moderate mental retardation. Individuals with Down syndrome have IQ scores of 30 to 60, but much variation exists. More important than IQ scores is the fact that all individuals with Down syndrome are capable of learning. (I was under the impression that people with Downs have a mentality of an eight year old for the rest of their lives.  WRONG!!)

MYTH: People with Down Syndrome will live at home forever.
FACT: A large percentage of adults with Down syndrome live semi-independently in assisted living facilities and group homes. Adults with Down syndrome often hold jobs and have romantic relationships. 

MYTH: Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents.
FACT: Over 80% of babies with Down syndrome are born to women under the age of 35, and the average age of a mother of an infant with Down syndrome is 28 years.

MYTH: People with Down syndrome all have their tongue out and their mouth open.
FACT: Not so.  The reason for the open mouth is not a lack of intelligence, rather a lack of muscle.

There are many more videos on Downs on YouTube.