What are some myths about Down Syndrome ?

People with Down Syndrome are severely Intellectually Impaired?

• False

• True

Answer explanation

False. Most people with Down Syndrome have IQs that fall in the mild to moderate range of Intelligence.

People with Down Syndrome are always happy?

• False

• True

Answer explanation

False. People with Down Syndrome are just like us with a wide range of feelings. They can be happy, sad, angry, worried, stressed etc

Only older women have babies with Down Syndrome.

• False

• True

• Partially True and False.

Answer explanation

Yes and No.

The older a woman gets the more likely she is to have a baby with Down Syndrome

BUT

That is not completely true because young mothers can also have babies with Down Syndrome.

People with Down Syndrome cannot attend school with us. They need a special school to learn

• False

• True

• Partially True and False.

Answer explanation

False, People with Down Syndrome can learn just like you and me, they just learn differently.

People with Down Syndrome will never be able to do things by themselves.

• False

• True

• Partially True and False.

Answer explanation

False, People with Down Syndrome can work, go shopping, pay bills, cook and drive cars. They will just need a little more practice to do these things.

People with Down Syndrome will die at a young age.

• False

• True

• Partially True and False.

Answer explanation

False, A long time ago people with Down Syndrome died at a young age because of heart conditions. We have many medical advancements that can now save lives and increase life expectancy.

People with Down Syndrome all look the same.

• False

• True

• Partially True and False.

Answer explanation

False, It’s true that there are some features that people with Down syndrome may have in common such as eye and face shape, but like in any group of people there is HUGE variation!

People with Down Syndrome will not be able to take part in sports?

• False

• True

• Partially True and False.

Answer explanation

False, Peopel with Down Syndrome can do anything you and I can do.

People with Down Syndrome have speech and language difficulties.

• False

• True

• Partially True and False.

Answer explanation

Although there are some people with Down Syndrome who struggle to communicate or those who cannot speak, it does not mean that everyone with Down Syndrome has speech and language difficulties.

People with Down Syndrome dont understand the world around them.

• False

• True

• Partially True and False.

Answer explanation

False, People with Down Syndrome can understand many things, just like you and me. They just need more time to learn and explore.