Select Page

About Down’s Syndrome

What Is Down’s Syndrome?

Down’s syndrome is when you’re born with an extra chromosome. You usually get an extra chromosome by chance, because of a change in the sperm or egg before you’re born. 

What it’s like to have Down’s syndrome

People who have Down’s syndrome will have some level of learning disability. This means they’ll have a range of abilities. Some people will be more independent and do things like get a job. Other people might need more regular care.

Like everyone, people who have Down’s syndrome have:

  • their own personalities
  • things they like and dislike
  • things that make them who they are

Further Information:

In Their Own Words

This video, ‘Chromosomes R Us’, is a short film by actors who have  Down’s syndrome video explaining how Trisomy 21 occurs.

It was made by Shabang Inclusive Learning in collaboration with Mediapreview, Huddersfield. Down’s syndrome (or Trisomy 21) is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, being universally present across racial, gender or socioeconomic lines in approximately 1 in 800 live births. Down’s syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.

Use of Terminology

When speaking about issues relating to Down’s syndrome in a way that is both factually accurate and inoffensive to the general public, including people who have Down’s syndrome and their families, please consider the table below:

Do Not Say

Do SAY

Suffers from OR is a victim of Down’s syndrome Has Down’s syndrome
A Downs’s baby/person/child A person/baby/child who has Down’s syndrome
Mentally handicapped/backward Learning disability or intellectual disability
Disease/illness/handicap Condition OR genetic condition
Downs (as an abbreviation) DS (as an abbreviation if necessary)

Down’s syndrome or Down syndrome?

It is generally accepted that both Down’s syndrome and Down syndrome can be used interchangeably.

For us at the Down’s Syndrome Association, the most important thing is the use of person first terminology (e.g. ‘person who has Down’s syndrome’, not ‘Down’s syndrome person’).

The use of the possessive apostrophe is a recognised model that is used for a number of conditions in Britain, thus, in the UK Down’s syndrome is used more commonly, whereas in other countries the more prominent is Down syndrome.