(#7) Unit II Final

Everyone has certain issues; however, some have issues that affect their physical or mental health. Down syndrome happens to be one mental illness which can lead to physical impairments. I read an article that those with Down syndrome have multiple stages, therefore there is not one defined type of Down syndrome. One actor named Peter, has Down syndrome but his goal is to show others with Down syndrome that being independent is possible.

                                       Peter being embraced by a substitute teacher who
                                       defended him when someone was picking on him  

Another source had over 90,000 people with Down syndrome take survey which they found great information. A common thought worldwide is that men with Down syndrome have it worse than women with Down syndrome, but this is found wrong. Gender has no effect on the mental prospect of Down syndrome. However, women have better speech patterns, and cognitive abilities. 

Since Down syndrome is a mental illness there are cases in which other issues may branch off from them. Some include “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)”, “depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, self-injurious behavior”, “psychosis”, “self-injurious behavior”, and “depression, Alzheimer's disease.”

                             A student with Down syndrome receiving 1 on 1 lessons.

These however can be fixed even though one with Down syndrome is challenged it does not mean that they cannot learn. So “management of behavioral and of mental health problems should have priority in the available services they will be beneficial not only to the individual served, but also to the family’s well-being.”

As Peter has been trying to tell the world it is possible for those who have Down syndrome to “live on their own, they could learn about math, [and] reading.” This idea is factual, and it has been done, just look at Peter. He considers himself a role model and he is a good one at that.

These ideas are not trying to make light of Down syndrome. Because, just like every other thing there are many cases which the results may not be proven constant. As stated women are better at formulating sentences, those who are younger tend to have more hyper and tended to have severe behavioral issues. But those who are elderly with Down syndrome are more functional and physically stable compared to other mental disorders.

So how does one progress from having Down syndrome? Well in grade school, it is common to have tutors, and even special classes. For example, when I was younger I went to speech every other day for a hour. Even though I had dyslexia and not Down syndrome the classes are the same. It is one on one teaching which benefits the children tenfold. Other services include, inclusion classes, resource rooms, self-contained classes, out-of-district placement.
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