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For example mainly in about 20% of females who have Down syndrome there is a missing 12^th rib and that amongst a vast majority of children with the syndrome the mouth cavity is disproportionately too small to accommodate the tongue. The skull is also undersized and these symptoms combined give the appearance of the tongue being too large which and unmanageable. Actually with a little training in the very beginning the child will learn to use the tongue and the mouth cavity and together the undersized head will achieve a level of successful control. (Silver, Kempe, Bruyn, Handbook of Pediatrics, 1992)

The air sinuses are usually underdeveloped in children and adults with Down syndrome which will cause frequent blockage and therefore many breathing difficulties. Thus the children will resort to breathing through their mouths. This is a commonly observable trait that gives the impression that the child is much more retarded than they actually are. This open jaw position combined with the undersized skull, narrow ear canals are all factors contributing to the frequency of many ear infections and a high incidence of hearing loss amongst this population.(Cunningham, C., Down syndrome, 1988)

Because of the lack of complete knowledge about the syndrome in general amongst the medical and educational communities there is a marked lack of legitimate treatments and therapies. This aside from those that have already been developed and implemented for the typical child population. (Murphy, A, The Young Child with Down syndrome, 1984)

Thus parents become vulnerable to the entire host of scams that are designed to make a parent believe that they can cure Down syndrome completely to a variety of huckster type treatments that involve ever increasing quantities of products and salves designed to look real, cost a lot, and that will provide no long term realistic relief in the form of results. (Berenbaum, M, The World Must Know, 1994)

Parents who elect to keep their child want what is the best for them and many times they are sucked into a get fixed quick scheme and because they want what is best for their child they are exploitable.

With this warning we need to say that parents should understand that there may be a modality that is acceptable and may actually produce results and these need to be explored and parents need to make informed decisions.

For example many forms of therapy are legitimate medical practice however, many are simply exploitive and unsupported by research or fact. Examine the various treatments for thyroid treatments that are often recommended and often necessary yet there are some forms of diagnosis and treatment that are completely bogus and will actually interfere with the proper function and treatment of the thyroid in children who have Down syndrome. (Pueschel, S, Ethical Consideration in the Life of Children with Down Syndrome, 1989)

Remember that not all children who have Down syndrome have the same medical problems and they do not all develop at the same rate. In that regard, I guess, we can all take solace in the fact that we are all the same.

More References:

Ainsworth, M. D., et al, Infant Mother Attachment and Social Development: Cambridge, Mass, University Press, 1974)

Bowlby, J., Attachment and Loss: Separation Anxiety and Anger, New York, Basic Books, 1973)

Rubenstein, J, Maternal Attentiveness and Subsequent Exploratory Behavior in the Infant, Child Development, 38:1089, 1967)

Lamb, M. E., A Defense of the Concept of Attachment, Human Development, 17:376-385, 1974)

Lucyshyn, J, et al, Building an Ecology of Support: A Case Study of One Young Woman with Severe Problem Behaviors Living in the Community, J Assoc Persons with Severe Handicaps, 20:1, 16-30, S. 1995)