Myths and Truths of Down Syndrome Quiz

Answer: True

Research on Down syndrome is making great strides in identifying the genes on chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Scientists now feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future. Modern treatments can inherently not cure Down Syndrome, but will let patients live a happy, almost normal life.

Answer: True

Most children with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35 years old simply because younger women have more children. However, the probability of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. 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.

Answer: True

People with Down syndrome have feelings just like everyone else in the population. They experience the full range of emotions. They respond to positive expressions of friendship and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior.

Answer: False

Down syndrome is not rare. About 1 in every 700 babies is born with Down Syndrome and over 6000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the US each year. It is estimated that there are over 350,000 individuals with Down syndrome in the United States in 2013.

Answer: False

Most people with Down syndrome have only mild to moderate mental retardation. The overall population with Down syndrome has an average IQ score around 50, but much variation exists. More important than IQ scores is the fact that all individuals with Down syndrome are capable of learning.

Answer: False

Although life expectancy for individuals with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent years, it is still not yet that of peers without Down syndrome. Since the 1980s, the life expectancy for persons with Down syndrome has more than doubled, from 23 to over 55 years of age.

Answer: False

Today most people with Down syndrome live at home with their families and are active participants in the educational, vocational, social, and recreational activities of the community. They are integrated into the regular education system and take part in sports, camping, music, art programs and all the other activities of their communities. People with Down syndrome are valued members of their families and their communities, contributing to society in a variety of ways.

Answer: False

In almost every community of the United States there are parent support groups and other community organizations directly involved in providing services to families of individuals with Down syndrome.

Answer: True

Businesses are seeking young adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions. They are being employed in small- and medium-sized offices: by banks, corporations, nursing homes, hotels and restaurants. They work in the music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, childcare, the sports field and in the computer industry. People with Down syndrome bring to their jobs enthusiasm, reliability and dedication.

Answer: False

Children with Down syndrome have been included in regular academic classrooms in schools across the country. In some instances they are integrated into specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the regular classroom for all subjects.

The current trend in education is for full inclusion in the social and educational life of the community. Increasingly, individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school with regular diplomas, participate in post-secondary academic and college experiences and, in some cases, receive college degrees.