Learning disability and down syndrome

[Erica24]

Are learning disabilities prevalent in people with Down syndrome? How severe can these disabilities be?

What sorts of therapies can help with coping with Down syndrome?

Can mental health be impacted by Down syndrome ?

[MontyCat]

Hi Erica. I am a new member of this group and mum to a young lady of 26 who has Down Syndrome and significant learning disability. It is my understanding that some degree of LD is common to all people with DS, but the degree of LD is variable. I also believe that Moasaicism tends to result in lower levels of LD. Helpful therapies would include physiotherapy (hypotonia/low muscle tone is common, gross and fine motor skills are often delayed or do not develop fully), occupational therapy, speech and language therapy (speech is another common difficulty - lack of vocabulary and/or poor expressive skills) and I am sure there are others. My daughter benefitted in her earlier years from hydrotherapy and hippotherapy. Whilst my daughter does not display any particular mental health problems as a result of having DS (she is a happy person by nature), I believe people with DS who are more aware of their condition may suffer mental health issues as a result. Hope this helps.

[Erica24 in reply to MontyCat]

Yes, thank you 😊