Is Down’s Syndrome a Learning Disability?

Children with Down syndrome will generally learn and progress slower than other children. Typically, motor development will be slower, and difficulty with motor control can also impact language development. Expressive language will often be more difficult for children with Down syndrome.
Another area of development that can be affected is number skills. As people with Down syndrome get older, they may need some support worker assistance with tasks involving mathematical calculations, such as buying groceries or paying bills.
Some people with Down syndrome find verbal short-term memory is not as good as visual short-term memory, which can hold them back when learning new words or putting sentences together. Again, this will vary from one individual to another.

What Is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is the name of a condition where a person has an extra chromosome, affecting development and physical features. Around 1 in 700 children have Down syndrome.
During pregnancy, the parents will be offered a test at around 15-22 weeks to screen for Down, Edwards, and Patau’s syndromes. Further tests will usually be offered if the test shows a high possibility of these conditions.
People with Down syndrome usually have other health conditions, including heart conditions or challenges with hearing and vision. Down syndrome is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured. However, the sooner the condition is identified, the quicker support can be provided to enable a person to live a fulfilling life.

Some people with Down syndrome will require high support, while others can live a very independent life. Another condition that people with Down syndrome will often have is Hypotonia which is poor muscle tone and, as a result, weaker strength. This can mean that they struggle with physical activities consequently.
Babies with Down syndrome have challenges when fed due to poor muscle tone. Because they tend to stick their tongue out, parents will need to monitor their feeding and give them nutritional supplements to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need.

What Causes Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome isn’t inherited and usually happens with cell division during the early development of the fetus. There aren’t other behavioural or environmental factors that cause this syndrome. With proper support available and because of more research, there are more opportunities for people to overcome challenges associated with Down syndrome.