10 Myths you probably didn’t know about Down Syndrome 

There are many misconceptions when it comes to Down Syndrome. People think they know about people with Down Syndrome when in actual fact they are the same as you or I. Alot of textbooks and peoples thoughts are very out dated which means there are myths about Down Syndrome still floating about.

Rory and I thought it was time that we sorted that out, so here are 10 myths that you probably didn’t know about Down Syndrome!

1. Down Syndrome is rare – Approximately 1 in every 700 babies born will have Down Syndrome, making it the most common chromosome condition
2. Down Syndrome is hereditary, meaning that if a couple with Down Syndrome had a baby it would have Down Syndrome – This one is a big fat NO! only translocation Down Syndrome is and that accounts for only 3-4% of cases!
3. Babies with Down Syndrome are born to older parents – Most children with Down Syndrome are born to woman under 35 years old because they have more children, but the likelihood of having a baby with DS increases with the age of the mother.
4. People with Down Syndrome are always happy – Biggest myth of them all! Rory is proof of this, he gets as grumpy as everyone else.
5. Adults with Down Syndrome are the same as Children with Down Syndrome – Adults with Down syndrome are not children and should not be seen as children.
6. It is ok to use the ‘R Word’ if you don’t mean it – You should never use a derogatory term such as the ‘R Word’
7. You can catch Down Syndrome if you go near someone with it – WRONG!! It is a genetic condition there for you cannot catch it!
8. People with Down Syndrome don’t live as long as everyone else  – Years ago this myth was half-true as our science and medicine has improved meaning that health conditions that years ago may have shortened someones life can now be treated. Nowadays they have a similar life expectancy as someone without Down Syndrome.
9. It’s okay to address someone as a Downs person – The person should always come before the diagnoses meaning you should always address them as a person with Down Syndrome.
10. People who have Down Syndrome are a burden on their families – This one for me is the biggest myth, without Rory I might not have started my blog and I wouldn’t have experienced half the stuff I would have if I didn’t have him as a brother!