How Having Down Syndrome Affects Adulthood

Once upon a time, those who were given a diagnosis with Down syndrome were not given much hope for a typical future. It's been a very long time since those times. It was commonly held at the turn of the twentieth century that a person with a diagnosis of Down syndrome had a life expectancy of fewer than ten years. Compared to past generations, those born with the genetic condition now have a far better chance of living into their 50s and 60s.

It's a common misconception that people with Down syndrome can't hold down jobs or manage their own lives.

Unfortunately, it's now dishonest to subscribe to that school of thought. These days, many persons with Down syndrome are fully functional members of society, with careers and independent households. That doesn't mean there aren't obstacles along the way, and it indeed isn't assumed that getting older with Down syndrome looks the same as getting older without it. Nonetheless, this in no way undermines the possibility of a person with Down syndrome maturing into maturity. What follows is some more information that may or may not come to pass.

Adults with Down syndrome have varying degrees of independence; some need constant supervision, while others thrive in a communal setting.

Individuals with Down syndrome may possess a wide range of skills. Because of this, the optimal treatments for one Person with the developmental disorder won't be the best for another person with the same illness. There are others that are fine with getting where they need to go every day by taking the bus or rail. Individual driving abilities vary greatly, with some individuals being very comfortable behind the wheel while others need extra assistance.

Many individuals with Down syndrome have relatively normal mobility, which means they may be able to live independently, either entirely on their own or in a small community with supportive family and friends. [Person (s) with Down syndrome] now have access to a wide variety of living scenario alternatives that were previously unheard of since they were not made available to them. This is due to the fact that we denied them said chances.

There are several groups and government organizations that may be able to help those with disabilities find appropriate accommodations. Available housing alternatives range from residential facilities staffed by specially trained individuals to provide 24-hour monitoring to assisted living arrangements in which employees may provide assistance for 15 to 20 hours per week.

Even at adult Down syndrome facility, half of the patients stay at home with their family or cousins, while the remaining half live in a community setting with healthcare coverage.

Down Syndrome Does Not Prevent People from Attending University or Working Regular Jobs

It is possible for people with Down syndrome to continue their education after completing high school. For example, Universities in Mexico offers a number of classes designed for individuals with disabilities like Down syndrome. Students with Down syndrome may also apply for scholarships via the nonprofit Ruby's Rainbow.

After reaching adulthood, some people with Down syndrome may decide to enter the workforce. There are groups whose only mission is to help people with Down syndrome get hired. Similar to how there are housing assistance organizations, there are also organizations like this.

When it comes to employment, people with Down syndrome fall into one of three groups, as defined by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDDS) −

• Obtaining work in a Challenging Market − These openings are representative of the possibilities available to everybody in the labor market. The main distinction is that an employee with Down syndrome may need additional support from a career coach or employment expert while they adjust to their new role. Individuals with Down syndrome often benefit from having a professional keep tab on their progress.

• Work Assistance Programs − A long-term support structure is in place to assist the employee in thriving in work, making this an option that is comparable to competitive employment. (Note: There may be restrictions on the duration of this assistance. It's also worth noting that both unsubsidized and subsidized jobs may be found in the actual economy, out in the community.

• Protection from the Elements in the Workplace − Administrative duties, including filling envelopes, are commonplace in jobs like this, and employees often work alongside those with impairments. Disabled persons and non-disabled people are said to be segregated in these types of environments.

The secret, like with any person, is to fit their character traits into the ideal role. NDDS suggests that a person who has trouble processing sensory information should avoid working in an environment with a lot of background noise, whereas someone who has to be on the move often should avoid jobs that require a lot of sitting.

For employment programs to be effective, they must learn about each participant's unique set of skills and interests and then match them with jobs that they will like coming to and be good at.

Adults with Down Syndrome may have Trouble Obtaining Enough Support Services; Regular Medical Checkups are Crucial.

It is probable that children and young adults with Down syndrome have a therapy team that they see on a regular basis. However, according to Chicane, these tools typically become unavailable as individuals age.

Adults with Down syndrome seldom have access to the same kinds of treatments that are accessible for children. More help is needed for many of the people he encounters in order to learn basic living skills like cooking and cleaning. However, they usually can't afford therapy until something else goes wrong, such as a broken hip, and the insurance company agrees to pay for it.

Consistent checks and medical attention are especially crucial for persons with Down syndrome as they age. Complications such as digestive issues, sleep apnea, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, leukemia, and other diseases are more common in people with a genetic abnormality. The best approach to address problems is to catch them early, which may be done by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and going to the doctor often.