So you’ve found out you’re having a baby with Down Syndrome. I have no doubt you’re feeling a little scared and overwhelmed right now, and it’s perfectly normal to feel this way. Parenting a child with Down Syndrome probably feels a little scary, but it’s not as scary as you think it might be. First of all, what is Down Syndrome? Put simply, Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a partial or completely developed extra copy of chromosome 21. In the United States, about 1 in every 700 babies is born with Down Syndrome. Knowing the answer to “What is Down Syndrome” is only the beginning however. You don’t have to be afraid of raising a child with Down Syndrome and this article will take a look at several reasons why.
- Your Child Can Live a Long and Happy Life: The first reason not to be afraid is because your child can still grow up to live a long and happy life. There has been the misconception that those born with Down Syndrome won’t live into adulthood or will die young. However, this simply isn’t true. The average life expectancy for someone with Down Syndrome is almost 60 years old though some have lived into their 80s. This is a lifespan comparable to people who don’t have Down Syndrome, and it means that your child can live a full life.
- Your Child Can Still Go to School: Another reason not to be afraid is because your child will still be able to go to school and learn. The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that all children, regardless of their disability, be able to go to school and get an education. Your child will not be denied an education because of their Down Syndrome.
- Milestones May Be Slower, But They Will Come: And finally, a third reason to not be afraid is because you will still get to experience many parenting milestones. For example, you can still experience those precious moments like your child’s first steps, their first word, and so on. Knowing what is Down Syndrome, it’s possible some of these milestones will be delayed, but most of them will come eventually.
In conclusion, there are several reasons to not be afraid of raising a child with Down Syndrome. These reasons include: your child will still live a long and happy life, your child can still go to school and get an education, and your child will still experience precious milestones, though they may come slower. These are just a few of the reasons to not be afraid of raising a child with Down Syndrome.