Defines the childhood issue:
A common chromosome disorder due to an extra chromosome number 21 Down syndrome causes mental retardation, a characteristic face, and multiple malformations. Down syndrome is a relatively common birth defect. The chromosome abnormality affects both the physical and intellectual development of the individual.
Factors associated:
There are many factors associated with Down syndrome that not only effect the child but the people surrounding them such as family, friends etc.
Some examples such as:
- Social development and communication
- Health Problems (more prone to people with Down syndrome because there immune systems are weak)
- Additional healthcare needs
- Sensory impairments
- Vision
- Hearing loss
- Motor Skills
History of the current issue in Australia
Down syndrome has been around for as long as humans have been evolving. Trisomy 21 may have been a problem for primates for around 30-50 million years.
1930s- Waardenburg and Bleyer suggested that it might be due to chromosomal abnormalities
1959- Jerome Lejeune and Patricia Jacobs, independently discovered the cause to be trisomy (triplication) of the 21st chromosome
1961- Down syndrome was first described clinically by John Langdon.
1965- Down syndrome was adopted as an official term for the condition
Current statistics in Australia and Western Australia
- About 1-in-800 are at risk of down syndrome,
- overall for all births Less than 1-in-1,000 for women under 30
- About 1-in-25 risk for a 45-year-old mother
- 88% of cases arise from mother's chromosome 21; 8% from father's chromosome 21; 2% from mitotic errors after fusion
- Translocation Down Syndrome are about 4-5% of cases of Down syndrome
- 66-89% of Down patients have some level of hearing loss in at least one ear
- The risk of pneumonia is 62 times higher than in non-Down
- The risk of leukaemia is 10-15 times higher than in non-Down people
- Seizures occur in about 3-13% of Down patients
Explains if it is a biological and environmental health relates issue:
Down syndrome is a biological issue. It’s genetic in a way that it involves an extra chromosome 21. It does not run in the family it’s just a random event that occurs during the formation of reproductive cells.
Explains the effects and development concerns for the child:
There are many development issues relating back to the condition Down syndrome. There’s the features of a child with the condition such as there facial features are different, there hands are and their head is proportioned larger then normal.
There is the term we use called “developmental delay” Individuals with Down syndrome develop skills at a slower pace that individuals without Down syndrome.
Daily routine program and lifestyle behaviours of the child:
A child with Down syndrome is pretty much the same as looking after a child without it, but of course taking into account the factors associated. Thinking of this, having them take longer to learn and there language skills being delayed can affect the child when it comes to behaviour, they may display less appropriate behaviors and parents can find these difficult to control and stressful, as they disrupt family life. When they start acting like this it can start affecting other things such as education because they can’t sit still, and sit quietly so it disturbs others. To help control this and keep it to a minimum people have suggested that parents encourage the child and reward them when they act at their age appropriate behavior, and when they realize this they’ll start acting appropriately to get rewarded. .
Briefly explains the implications of lifestyle behaviours of the parents:
Looking after a child with Down syndrome is pretty much the same as bringing up a child without it. You still have to feed, dress, diaper, cuddle, hold, talk to, play with and love your baby. Taking into consideration of course there is extra concerns such as health problems that aren’t as normal to be with children without it, which means theses babies/kids will need extra care.
Cultural/religious and spiritual beliefs related to the issue:
Not all religious beliefs point in the same direction.There are different cultures who do believe in keeping the baby knowing that the baby has the condition Down syndrome and then there are others that believe “Being a very religious person can lead you to think [pregnancy termination] is a necessary answer to a human situation,”. Some examples are: A Catholic Church will teach you that “human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception,” including cases involving Down syndrome or other abnormalities, and there’s people who say if your from a Christian or Jewish background and you continue with Down syndrome pregnancies you are “disproportionately” religious. So there are quite different views from religious people.
Discuss societies views related to the issue and the media:
From all the articles and information I have been reading on Down syndrome, the message that im getting is everyone wants to support it with social, family, learning or parent support. As below in about every state there is a support agency for people or families with children with the condition Down syndrome. There also seems to be some government funds and fundraising efforts to help support people with it.
Lists services and support agencies in Australia
Down syndrome Associations of NSW
Tel: (02) 9683 4333
members.iinet.net.au/~sdansw/
Down syndrome Association of Victoria Inc
Tel: (03) 9486 2377
ACT Down syndrome Association
Tel/Fax: (02) 6290 0656
Down syndrome Association of Queensland
Tel: (07) 3356 6655
dsag.org.au
Down syndrome association of South Australia Inc
Tel: (08) 8365 3510
Down syndrome association of Western Australia
Tel: (08) 9358 3544
Investigates the educational and preventative programmes available within the community related issue:
A child with Down syndrome can attend normal school like every other kid but research shows that early intervention programs can help children with Down syndrome to reach their maximum potential. Then from six years, your child may also attend mainstream. By attending a regular school, your child will link in and grow up with other children in their street or area. Learn what acceptable behavior for any given situation is and be exposed to a range of experiences that will help them take their place in the world
Briefly discusses the management and treatment of the related issue:
Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for Down syndrome. Down syndrome is not a condition that can be cured. Although there are many surgeries that can be undergone to fix implications internally, this can be needed early on in life. There are some medications that can be taken to treat certain conditions that occur in people with Down syndrome and also some treatments such as Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. All these treatments would be helpful with the up bringing to make sure they live a happy and healthy life but Down syndrome can’t be cured.
The development of independence for a child with this heath related issue:
During the early stages of life yes people with Down syndrome need a lot of extra care. Just like every child/teenager we all need care and help through life until we start to move on, well so do people with Down syndrome. Many may not be ready at the same age as use to move out of home and live independently because of there pace at life, and there medical reasons but If people with Down syndrome pass out successfully from high school and college, they can have full time jobs just like everyone else. There may be reason such as due to their unusual looks and behaviour many think that those with Down syndrome are mentally retarded and are not capable of things like we are but this isn’t true. They can do most things just like we can and people should not judge them for there disability.
Creating a safe environment for the child with this issue:
An environment that suits your child's needs and abilities will need to be created. Encourage movement and exploration. Safety will also need to be taken into account. Chemicals found in your furniture such as brominated fire retardants are needed to be kept away because they are linked to many problems. Outlets should be covered securely with outlet covers, cabinets containing cleaning materials or chemicals should be securely fastened with child proof fasteners, child crib should meet or exceed all safety standards, blind cords are not left hanging, scissors and knives are well out of reach to the child and never leave your child alone with a dog. These are some of the many things you can do to create a safer environment for a child with Down syndrome.
