With special training early in life, children born with Down syndrome have a higher chance of developing into independent individuals.

In an extended feature in Scientific American Reports, Ingelore Moeller writes:

For too long, people with Down syndrome, or trisomy 21, have been dismissed as “retarded” and thus incapable of having rich lives. But that view has begun to change. Psychologists, doctors and special-education teachers now realize that a diagnosis at infancy does not necessarily mean a child will have few options in life – as long as he or she receives special training early. And socially, Down syndrome children are finally being accepted as unspectacular, everyday kids…

… More than 350,000 Americans have trisomy 21. Helping them obtain jobs and build households will dissolve long-standing prejudices, enriching everyone’s lives.”

Moeller reports that children with Down syndrome go through the same developmental steps as other children, but their rate of progress is slower and varies more widely. She reports that these children reach their highest mental and social potential when they have lively and positive interactions with adults.

From the summer issue, available on newsstands until September 11, 2007. Can be purchased on the internet.

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