Down syndrome is one of the most common genetic disorders, occurring one in every 600 births (Davis, 2008). 3,500-5,000 children are born with Down syndrome every year in the United States alone (Pueschel, 2008). Down syndrome or mongolism was first identified by John Langdon Down in 1866 although the syndrome has been around for many centuries. In fact, according to many paintings dated back to the sixteenth century show pictures of children with Down syndrome like features (Carr, 1995). Down started the “cure” movement in the nineteenth century that promoted finding a cure for mongolism (Gibson, 1978). However he later found out that Down syndrome occurs during the early stages of fertilization and could not be cured with the technology existing at that time (Gibson, 1978).
Also known as Trisomy 21 or, Down syndrome is the result of an extra 21st chromosome (Campbell &Reece, 2008). Instead of having two chromosomes on chromosome 21 they have three which means they will have 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46 (Campbell & Reece, 2008). Translocation can also happen which involves the attachment of the arms of chromosome 21 to chromosome 14, 21, or 22 also resulting in a child born with Downs although it is much rarer (Pueschel, 2008) These changes, or nondisjunction, change chromosome number and structure and are directly connected to significant human disorders. Even though most nondisjunction in the unborn child will result in death long before birth, although those with Down Syndrome often survive making it one of the most common genetic disorder (Pueschel, 2008).
The Physical symptoms of Down syndrome include distinctive facial features, stunted growth, broad fingers, upward slanted eyes, decreased muscle tone, and small eyes and separated joints in the skull (Davis, 2008). With such a list of physical differences Down syndrome is the easiest neurodevelopmental disorders to recognize(Davis, 2008). There are also