To think you don't see many people with Down's syndrome anymore?

[Neonoen]

When I was a school there was a boy with downs syndome in my class. At secondary there was the first boy and then another one too.

I worked with a man with Downs syndrome at my first job (he taught me how to use the photocopier the first day after I wasted a whole reem of paper ). At the same time there was a woman who travelled on the same bus as me with Down syndrome and another who worked in McDonald's.

Yesterday on the TV they were interviewing that man who has the lead role in a new film (he has downs). DS asked why he spoke like that, I explained and then realised none of my children know what Down's syndrome is or have ever encountered anybody with it. There's no children with downs in their schools, no families with any members who have downs and no businesses that I can think of who employ anybody locally with Down's syndrome.

Other than the SN session at the local pool, I can't remember when I last encountered anybody with downs.

Is it just me? Is it a result of advanced ante natal testing?

In fact thinking of it I'm surprised at the lack of any experience my DC have of people with disabilities.

I really don't want to offend with this and hope I've used the correct terminology.

[lougle]

My DD2 has a girl in her class who has DS (mainstream). My DD1 has a girl in her class who has DS (Special School).

[ElspethFlashman]

Come to Ireland. Loads here.

[WipsGlitter]

93% of women who find out they are carrying a child with downs choose to terminate, so yes there are less children being born within downs.

[heron98]

I was thinking something similiar recently - as a child I remember there being a noticeable number of adults around with very severe learning disabilities (not Down's Syndrome but far more profound) and there aren't nearly as many now.

[ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets]

93%???

Gosh, that's very sad.

I never really thought about it, but yes you're right, I haven't encountered a person with DS for a long time.

[redannie118]

I haven't noticed that. There's a teenage boy with downs lives in my street and as many out and about in public as I always remember . My kids know about downs too from school, it's a standard state school but has a good inclusion process for lots of kids with varied needs

[sizeofalentil]

I hope you don't get flamed for this post, as you do raise an interesting point. Afraid I agree with WipsGlitter that it's probably down to early testing and terminations.

[Neonoen]

Elspeth...because of fewer abortions in Ireland presumably? Surprised at those stats, that's very high.

I don't want my children growing up ignorant of people with disabilities. Yesterday was the first time that I'd really thought about it.

DD did say "has he got ADHD mummy". Guessing that that's the only reference point they have for SN as classmates have it?

[sonlypuppyfat]

My BIL had downs at 30 he still couldn't speak or indeed take himself to the toilet he made my MIL an old woman before her time. They all don't have jobs etc. When I was pregnant I didn't have any antinatal tests to look for Downs but I understand why some women would

[Gazelda]

Try to find Sally Phillips' recent BBC documentary on iplayer. She was covering the subject of a new, safer ante-natal test and how he possibility that it will result in more terminations. Her DS had Down's syndrome and she was trying to highlight that he and others with the same disability have every chance of a wonderful life, so the thought of terminating based on a DS diagnosis will mean eradication of people with that disability - a thought that upsets her when she sees the joy her son brings and lives.

[Titsalinabumsquash]

93% wow that's high! How sad, there is a little boy with DS in my children's school and he's absolutely lovely, you wouldn't know he has DS from his behaviour and interaction with his peers and his health is good from talking to his DM.

[Neonoen]

Actually they do realise about obvious physics disabilites. We live in an army town and there's quite a few men with missing limbs now . But they do seem to have encountered many people with DS type disabilities.

[ByeByeLilSebastian]

It might just be you. There are quite a few adults and children with downs round here.

[Ollycat]

Did you see Sally Phillips recent documentary - A World without Downs (I think) - v interesting and thought provoking - def worth a watch.

[TheLegendOfBeans]

There's an documentary that Sally Phillips (she was in Smack the Pony and Bridget Jones' diary) made that aired about a month ago: it was called "A World Without Down's?"

I haven't seen it but as I agree with your post this has spurred me on to watch it. I've been sort of hiding from it as I think it'll be quite upsetting.

[AgeingArtemis]

There's a man with down's syndrome who works in sainsburys where I live, but he's the only one I've seen in ages. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a child with DS

[TheLegendOfBeans]

Cross post x

[Neonoen]

physical dont

[BankWadger]

Could be because there is better education for SN now as well. Kids in dedicated classes/schools.

[Neonoen]

Will look for documentary now.

Is it something DC could watch? Oldest is 11

[WhisperingLoudly]

Quite obviously it's as a result of prenatal screening

I don't see it as something to mourn, same as I don't see the birth of a child with Downs as something to be mourned. Behind each child born with downs and for every pregnancy terminated because of Downsa deeply personnel and often difficult decision has been made.

[Strawberrybonbons16]

I have a cousin with DS. He went to a SN school, and so I assumed growing up that most weren't in a mainstream school, hence why there wasn't anyone with DS in any of my classes. My cousin tends to socialise with other people with DS/SN in groups specifically for them and their needs. Although there is a group that go to my local pool at the same time of week I go. It's nice to see that people with DS are being given roles on tv/films I guess sadly the termination rate also has a part to play in your observation but I would have thought it would be also due to attending different schools and social clubs as I mentioned

[Ollycat]

Legend it was a good doc - the statistics for terminations of Downs babies is v high and it was quite interesting how the medical
Profession lead people towards a decision.

SP has a son with Downs.