About Down Syndrome

Down syndrome, discovered in the year of 1862, by John Langdon down, it was known as "Mongoloid child", due to the similarity with mongolian race, and associated with mental disability.
It is caused by having 3 chromosomes in the group number 21 in the cell, instead of having 2, so the total will be 47 rather than 46 in the cell.
It can occur for one child per 800, or per 1000, related to country and the environment.
Till now they didn't discover the main reason for this abnormal division, but there are many factors which can increase the probability, like the mother's age, or in general, the parent's age, and it can be discovered during the pregnancy period, by using screening test, or diagnostic test.
It is really important to know how to deal with those kids who have down syndrome, in the past, at the beginning when they discovered this disorder, they used to isolate people who have it, and let them live in a separated world, but this was violating human rights, then they started to let them share in the normal society.
Kids with down syndrome have the same feelings as everybody has, and they can form any type of relationship as we can, not only that but also one study registered that one women with DS became a mother, and two men became fathers, so they can deliver.

signs and symptoms

It is difficult to predict the whole symptoms, but there are some, which is easy to be discovered by paediatrician, from the moment of the birth.

Physical symptoms	Health problems
-Flat face. - Spacious, spaced eyes, and oblique eye fissures. - Flat nose. - Short neck. - Small ears. - Short stature. - Emergence of tongue or large tongue compared to the mouth.	- Problems in the circulatory system. - Lack of muscles power. - Breathing problems. - More infections because of problems in the immune system. - Hearing problems. - congenital heart disease.

Rather than those health problems, kids with down syndrome have mental problems, which affect their whole life, and their ability to learn in different fields, but they have good range of abilities, also, it is common that they born with average size and rate but they grow more slower than others.

coping with down syndrome

When parents are waiting a baby, they are full of good feeling and hopes, but it is really hard when they hear that their baby is going to suffer from down syndrome, and it is more worse, that he will keep suffering till the end of his life, they will have an abnormal child, who is different than others, and they should know how to deal with him.
If they are well known how to deal with this (i will not call it abnormal) different child, the whole results may change, it is really  an important issue, which can be reflected on our society, we can't ignore those people, and we can't isolate them, they are humans, and they have their rights, and their responsibilties in the society, and we can get great results if we know how to deal with them.
first of all, from the moment when parents know about thier child, they should start teaching themselves about this disorder, and how to deal with, and which problems thier child may face.
Starting by finding suitable organizations, which can offer special programs to develop thier mental ability, and learn about some educational games which can help in cognitive development, and speech development, then, finding which environment is better for them,  and providing them with TV programs, or even computer games,also helping them to have friends.
finally, many of those kids who have down syndrome have completed thier high school education, even more they joined colleges and finished thier study, also they have their job, and work as a labor force.
A message for parents:
It is really difficult to hear that you have a kid with different abilities, and who is different than any other, but it is a grace, which needs from you to be patient, and to know how to deal with it, after you discover this small creature, you will find him really different, it lost many things, but also it has many other replacement, you should believe on its ability and skills, have a positive feeling toward him, trust him, then encourage, provide them good environment, and remember, always remember that you should'nt give them the feeling that they are abnormal, its like you have raw material, and if you know how to use, you will have great results,
finally, always be proud of your kid, don't isolate him, or feel shy to show him, you should be good enough to deserve him.....

Down syndrome in UAE

Last statistical studies about down syndrome in the UAE showed that the average number of children who have down syndrome in the UAE (which is one child per 453), is more than the average one on the world (one per 800 child), so health ministry in the UAE is trying to take some procedures, in order to minimize those numbers, like doing some awareness campaigns, about the disorder, and it's symptoms, and factors which can cause it, and how to deal with, on the other hand, doing some examination before marriage.
21st of march is the day of down syndrome, so they invest this to spread the awareness about this disorder, and they have established UAE association for down syndrome, this association includes about 373 family from different nationalities, and concerning about offering different programs for kids who have down syndrome, like speech therapy, and physiotherapy programs, in addition to different programs for parents, to help them in dealing with the case, in order to handle the whole issues in early stages, and to know the best ways in combining those kids in the normal social life, and helping them to complete the educational life, then, joining suitable places in the work force.