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Resources

Resources

About Down Syndrome

There are three types of Down Syndrome and the type is identified from the chromosome studies done at birth to confirm the diagnosis of Down Syndrome:

1
Trisomy 21 is the most common type of Down Syndrome- it includes 95% of the Down Syndrome population.
2
Translocation occurs in only 2-3% of those born with Down Syndrome…, where an extra part or whole extra copy of chromosome 21 is attached to a different chromosome.
3
Mosaicism is the least common type of Down Syndrome. In about one percent of children with Down Syndrome there is an extra whole chromosome 21 in only a percentage of their body cells- the rest of the cells do not have the extra chromosome.

No matter which type of Down Syndrome your child has, the effects of the extra genetic material will be unique to them. They will have their own strengths, likes, dislikes, talents, personality and temperament. Think of your baby first as a child. Down Syndrome is just part of who they are.

Down Syndrome is a random occurrence in nature. It has no cure or prevention measures. Down Syndrome is not a disease, disorder, defect or medical condition and therefore does not require treatment, prevention or a cure.

Presently in Canada, there are 45,000 people living with Down Syndrome.
It is important to know that nothing the mother does during pregnancy could cause this to happen.
Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs in approximately 1 in 900 births in Canada.
Although it is not known for sure, it is possible that an error in cell division causes this extra chromosome.
This extra chromosome material is present at conception, either from the father’s sperm or the mother’s egg, each of which contributes 23 chromosomes.
A person with Down Syndrome has 47 chromosomes in each cell instead of 46.

The Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) has extensive information on Down Syndrome, as well as a thorough new parent package. Additional resources are listed below.

Are you a new or expecting parent of a child with Down Syndrome?

Request a New Parent Package and connect with the LDSA.