Empowering Insights: 3 Things You Should Know About Individuals with Down Syndrome
Before we had our daughter I knew very little about individuals with Down Syndrome. My sister worked with children with Down Syndrome for several years. I remember asking her after our daughter’s diagnosis, “Can they be potty trained”? I asked, “Will our daughter remember people like Grandparents whom she will only see once a year?” I had a lot to learn! And I quickly did learn 3 important things. Here are 3 things you should know about individuals with Down Syndrome.
#1: They are very capable!
One thing I learned pretty quickly through watching my daughter grow and learn is that she is very capable of learning and hitting all of the milestones. As I follow other individuals with Down Syndrome on social media I am even more convinced of this. Someone having Down Syndrome doesn’t mean they can’t do or learn most things. It means they can but they may need more help and time to learn it.
#2: They want to participate!
Individuals with Down Syndrome are aware of what is going on around them. They have likes and dislikes. Therefore, if they see someone doing something that they like they will want to join in. Our daughter saw her brothers emptying the dishwasher. Once she became mobile she crawled to it, pulled up to it, and started pulling dishes out of it. Now that she is taller and walks she will pull the silverware out of the dishwasher. She knows exactly where it goes, reaches way up, and plops it in the drawer. She wants to participate and be included.
#3: They are more alike than different!
Individuals with Down Syndrome have likes and dislikes. They have things they are good at and things they struggle with just like a typically developing person. We are not all scientists, lawyers, engineers or artists. Many typically developing individuals are potty trained at 1 1/2 years old. Some don’t get it until they’re 4 or 5 years old. Many typically developing individuals learn to read at 4 years old and some not until 10 or 11 years old. But, guess what, we all learn these things. Individuals with Down Syndrome are the same. Some will walk at 18 months and some not until they’re 3 years old. Individuals with Down Syndrome can be good at sewing, pottery, playing a musical instrument, riding horses and so much more. But they won’t all like those things. They will have different interests just like everyone else.
Wrapping up 3 things you should know about individuals with down syndrome.
When you meet someone with Down Syndrome automatically assume competency and capability. There is a better chance that they will know what you are saying and it will be insulting to them if you presume they are not capable. Give them a little extra time and help but please do what you can to include them. People with Down Syndrome want to belong and participate just like everyone else. And remember, they are more like you than they are different. There is a lot I have learned about people with Down Syndrome. These are the most important 3 things you should know about individuals with Down Syndrome.