Down syndrome is a genetic condition that affects an individual’s physical and mental development. In order to foster understanding and insight, it is important to ask the right questions when interviewing a person with Down syndrome. Questions should be framed in a way that is respectful and non-judgmental. They should also account for the individual’s unique capabilities and challenges.
The goal of this blog post is to provide readers with a comprehensive list of questions to consider when interviewing a person with Down syndrome. These questions have been carefully crafted to take into account the individual’s needs and differences. The questions will focus on areas such as communication, occupation, education, and health. Moreover, the questions are tailored to uncover the individual’s unique talents and strengths, as well as any areas of difficulty.
By understanding the answers to these questions, readers will gain insight into the individual’s life and be better equipped to provide appropriate support and resources. Furthermore, by gaining a better understanding of individuals with Down syndrome
“Down Syndrome” – Medical School MMI Interview Practice Question #4 (2015)
What concerns you most about the future? TT: I’ve always been anxious, and having kids only made it worse. I think most parents can relate to that. I worry about a lot of things, but since Beckett is only five, I understand that worrying about things like high school or his future home and career is a waste of time. I only concentrate on the here and now.
We quickly realized that how we responded to the news would influence how everyone else responded. We made the decision to be upbeat and not depressed because we didn’t want to hear anyone express regret over the discovery that Beckett has Down syndrome. We weren’t sorry, we were happy — and still are. It’s everything we hoped for the day we learned the news: Beckett is loved and surrounded by people who only want the best for him.
I try to just move forward incrementally. One foot in front of the other. It’s much easier to say than to do, but I don’t worry about things I can’t control.
AK: How has Beckett’s diagnosis impacted you? TT: Down syndrome has brought a new awareness to my life. I’m more thoughtful and understanding. At first it was tough because I became hyper-sensitive about how people spoke around me and how they acted with Beckett. I have a little list of pet peeves, things that never bothered be before but sure do now:
How has Beckett’s diagnosis affected his life? TT: Beckett has some difficulties with things like eating, potty training, and speaking, though he will eventually master these skills due to a slight delay in his development. Right now our biggest challenge is eating. Beckett prefers to only eat pureed food. Working with a food therapist has been nothing short of miraculous; just the other day, Beckett took a bite out of a sandwich. This is a huge milestone for us.
Tell us about your child’s down syndrome diagnosis?
There were no soft markers or indicators of Levi’s condition during my pregnancy, and we did not conduct any prenatal testing. He was born around 1am, and the room got quiet. I thought he was different, and we knew something wasn’t right, but we had no idea he had Down syndrome. The pediatrician informed us of the markers he noticed the following morning and recommended we get a blood test. At one week old, Levi’s Trisomy 21 test came back positive.
Would you tell us about you and Alice’s story?
I had my second child, a daughter named Alice, when I was 32 years old. I also had a two-year-old daughter named Lucy at the time. We learned that Alice most likely had Down syndrome when she was only about an hour old. At the time, my husband and I had no knowledge of down syndrome, and we were devastated. We are pro-life, so when the doctor asked if I had undergone any prenatal testing for Down syndrome, I replied that I hadn’t. She sort of gave me the side-eye, as if I should have done it and aborted when the Down syndrome test was positive.
I learned about the abortion statistics for babies with Down syndrome when Alice was a few months old. In Iceland, it is 100%. Since every child is screened for Down syndrome during pregnancy and is aborted if the results are positive, they haven’t had a baby with the condition in the past five years. About 70% of Down syndrome abortions occur in the US. I find those statistics sickening, especially considering that Down syndrome hasn’t been what we expected it to be. It is nothing but a tremendous blessing. Today, Alice is a happy, healthy, spunky, smart two-year-old girl. She utters a few words, moves around, and improves, accepts, and loves everyone around her.
As a Down syndrome advocate, how do you work within your community to raise awareness?
“For me, the best strategy is simply striking up a conversation wherever I am,” When I’m out with the kids, especially Wynter, I encourage anyone who is curious to ask me questions. Whenever we go to the grocery store, a park, or just go for a walk. Teaching young children about Down syndrome and the reasons Wynter sounds and looks different from them has been difficult. I try to make my responses for them understandable and relatable. As you probably already know, young children aren’t always very gracious in their remarks and inquiries. But I’m learning how to interact with them effectively and to ignore their criticism. I also attend many local events to help spread awareness. I conducted interviews for the Big Little Choices podcast, Father Salvador, and Mothermag. Last year, I also collaborated with Changing the Face of Beauty and ran a headshot workshop. We also attend local Down syndrome events/fundraisers as a family. The best way to raise awareness of Down syndrome is to keep the conversation going. ”.
FAQ
What questions should I ask for Down syndrome?
- What is Down Syndrome? …
- How Common is Down Syndrome? …
- What causes Down Syndrome? …
- What Are the Chances of Having a Down Syndrome Child?
- How is Down Syndrome diagnosed? …
- Are there varying levels of Down Syndrome? …
- What Impact Does Down Syndrome Have on Society?
How do you approach a patient with Down syndrome?
Always address the person with Down syndrome directly, never the person who is them. Give them time to respond. Take their lead on what support they need to communicate. Recognize that each individual with Down syndrome is special, with their own personality, strengths, and support needs.
What are 4 characteristics of Down syndrome?
Physical characteristics such as low muscle tone, one deep crease across the palm of the hand, a slightly flattened facial profile, and an upward slant to the eyes are typically used to diagnose down syndrome in newborns.
What challenges do Down syndrome face?
Individuals with different levels of severity of Down syndrome experience developmental delays and lifelong intellectual disability. It is the most prevalent genetic chromosomal disorder and the root of children’s learning disabilities. It frequently results in heart and gastrointestinal issues as well as other medical abnormalities.
