Frequently Asked Questions About Down Syndrome

Have you recently received a Down syndrome diagnosis for your child?

Or perhaps prenatal testing has indicated that the baby you’re expecting could have Down syndrome.

A Down syndrome diagnosis can feel overwhelming — and it’s completely normal to have a lot of questions.

You might be wondering what this means for your child’s future, and what steps you should take next.

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, we provide online and in-home speech therapy in Los Angeles for children with a wide range of developmental and communication needs.

Down syndrome speech therapy is one of our specialties, and we’re here to help your child build meaningful communication skills from an early age.

To help answer some of the most common questions we hear from families, we’ve put together this article covering the basics of Down syndrome from a speech therapist’s perspective.

And if you’re looking for additional support in the Los Angeles area — from family resources to community programs — be sure to check out our companion guide: Resources in Los Angeles for Parents of Children With Down Syndrome.

The most important thing to remember is this: individuals with Down syndrome can absolutely live vibrant, fulfilling lives.

And the best way to support that is by giving your child access to the care and guidance they need to thrive.

But more on that in a moment.

What Is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring genetic variation.

In particular, it’s related to chromosomes.

What is a chromosome?

Chromosomes are made up of protein and DNA.

They carry our genetic information.

Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes, 46 in total.

With Down syndrome, there’s a third copy of the 21st chromosome.

This extra chromosome is what causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.

Is Down Syndrome Common?

Some estimates suggest that Down syndrome affects over 250,000 people in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that Down syndrome accounts for 1 in 640 live births in the US.

Overall, Down syndrome is considered to be the most common chromosomal diagnosis.

It’s also a leading cause around the world for developmental and intellectual delay in children.

How Does Down Syndrome Occur?

Down syndrome is generally not inherited.

Instead, it occurs due to a random error in cell division during early fetal development.

Down syndrome can occur in any ethnicity, socioeconomic status, nationality, or religion.

It’s also not caused by anything you or your partner did during pregnancy.

Additionally, Down syndrome can also occur in parents of any age.

The odds of having a baby with Down syndrome increases primarily with advanced age during pregnancy.

However, over half of children born with Down syndrome are born to women under 35.

This is because younger people make up the majority of births overall.

Curious to learn more about the science behind it?

We break it down in our full article: What Caused Down Syndrome?

What Makes The Features Of People With Down Syndrome Unique?

People with Down syndrome often have some common physical features.

This includes things like:

• Low muscle tone (hypotonia)
• Shorter stature
• A round face
• Almond shaped eyes
• Eyes that slant upward

This is a result of the extra copy of chromosome 21, which we talked about earlier.

While people with Down syndrome may share some common physical traits, they typically resemble their own families more than they do one another.

Is It Safe To Carry A Baby With Down Syndrome To Term?

The short answer is yes.

Being pregnant with a baby with Down syndrome is no more dangerous than any other pregnancy.

In fact, before advances in genetic testing, many parents were not aware their baby had Down syndrome until they were born.

Do Kids With Down Syndrome Have Behavioral Issues?

Down syndrome can cause developmental and intellectual delay.

As a result, children with Down syndrome might have differences in behavior.

If you’re concerned about your child’s behavior, it can be helpful to seek professional support.

How Does Down Syndrome Impact Speech?

Down syndrome affects speech in a number of ways.

Down syndrome can cause delays and differences in communication, speech, and language skills.

Due to this, and because children with Down syndrome are often social, they might use more nonspeaking communication methods such as gestures and sign language throughout their earlier years.

It can also lead to difficulty pronouncing certain speech sounds, making it difficult for others to understand.

To be more specific, kids with Down syndrome are more likely to need support through:

• Articulation disorder speech therapy
• Phonological disorder speech therapy
• Speech therapy for stuttering
• Cluttering speech therapy
• Voice disorders therapy, in particular to better control their pitch and volume

Kids with Down syndrome are also more likely to have a motor speech disorder.

How Can Speech Therapy For Down Syndrome Help?

Speech therapy is a powerful tool for supporting kids with Down syndrome.

Providing your child with this kind of support early on can greatly improve their speech and language skills.

It can make a big difference for setting them up for success in their educational setting and a more independent lifestyle.

To start, your speech therapist will conduct an evaluation to determine your child’s individual strengths and needs.

They will then put together a personalized plan to support you and your child in developing their communication skills.

This could include support to improve various communication skills, including speech sounds production, receptive/expressive language, and may include augmentative and alternative communication support.

RELATED ARTICLE: Frequently Asked Questions About Augmentative & Alternative Communication

Speech therapy can also help with functional needs such as feeding and swallowing.

Specifically, speech therapists can help:

• Develop language skills that are emerging
• Increase speech intelligibility
• Strengthen oral motor skills
• Develop skills in eating and drinking
• Provide support for alternative communication (e.g. sign language, picture supports, or high tech communication devices)

Speech therapy is also a collaborative and dynamic process that evolves with your child.

Your speech therapist will also work closely with you and your child’s other primary caregiver(s) to evaluate progress, and provide supports to utilize in the home setting and community.

Book Your Appointment With Our Speech Therapy Clinic Today

A Down syndrome diagnosis may come with questions, but it also brings countless opportunities to support your child’s growth, joy, and connection.

With the right guidance, kids with Down syndrome can develop strong communication skills that help them express themselves, build relationships, and thrive.

One of the most important things you can do is start early and surround your child with the care and support they deserve.

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, our team of experienced speech-language pathologists are here to walk alongside you with compassion, expertise, and a therapy plan tailored to your child’s needs.

Whether your child is just beginning to explore language or needs help fine-tuning specific skills, we’re here for your family.

Book your appointment with Forte Speech & Language Therapy today and take the first step toward empowering your child’s communication journey.