How should we explain D.S . to our kids?

[fairyfly]

I tried my best, i couldn't explain what down syndrome was, just couldn't.

What about this from kidshealth.org?

Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes. A baby with Down syndrome has an extra chromosome (47 instead of 46) or one chromosome has an extra part. This extra genetic material causes problems with the way their bodies develop.

(What's a chromosome? They are thread-like structures within each cell and are made up of genes. Genes provide the information that determines everything about people, from hair color to whether they are girls or boys)

Adapting the longer words depending on the age of your audience...

depends on how old your kids are. I haven't really had to explain it to the kdis at dd1's kindy but the teacher is during Down Syndrome Awareness week. I jsut tell other children who may be looking at her a little strange - and the kids in her kindy class that she is just like them but sometimes it takes her a little longer to do things and to learn to do things.

I would also stress that there is nothing that causes a baby to have down syndrome - that is just the way they are ie nothing their mummies did that made them that way. It is not an illness and people with Down syndrome do not suffer.

There are som fab books out there - will try and dig up some links for you.

One is called - Our brother has Down syndrome by Shelley Cairo

here

this one is supposed to be for primary school aged children:

here

hope that helps

eidsvold's second link is really good (the first one is too, but the second book really explains it well). It's got lots of photos in it and covers so many topics - the biology of it, special & mainstream school, work, bullying, independent living etc in a very concise and easily understood format.

Funny this should come up today. I just sent a note into school for Lotties teacher telling her I want to chat at some point to discuss how we handle our childrens questions.

I say to Lottie things like 'you've got down's syndrome haven't you darling, you're special' so she grows up hearing it and being used to it. I have so far not told any other children but if they ask 'why can't Lottie walk' I have so far told them, 'she just can't yet sweetie, but she will and when she does she's gonna chase you all over the place' and then sort of grab/tickle them and distract them from further questions.

Anoraks daughter who i had the pleasure of meeting once asked me 'what is Down's syndrome?', I went to explain that it means that it takes a bit longer to learn things, she just nodded and said 'my mum says it means your special'

A girl I know from Lotties nursery is also going to her big school too. She's going in in the mornings to start and Lottie for the afternoon. She's the youngest in her year and Lottie will be one of the elder. She was distraught when they weren't starting at the same time, she said to her mum 'how will I help her if I'm not there' [bless]

Out of interest Fairyfly - why has this come up, just out of curiosity?

I have always said that we're all different, Daddy was born with a big nose, I got fat legs and ds got a cleft lip and palate! But he's the lucky one, 'cos I'm stuck with my legs .

Thanks for the links, i am going to order one.

My children are 5 and 7.

I have taught them that everyone is different, that kind of me seems a basic lesson in life and i would be amazed at a parent who didn't give that talk to their child. They are very aware of different speacial needs.

The down syndrome question came up as my eldest son watched Eastenders ( i'm sure i really shouldn't admit that on mn).

Anyway, i really found it hard to expalin it, i wanted to differentiate it from other sorts of s.n. so they could distinguish one from the other.

I wanted them to know it's not one huge category and each need is as varied as the child themselves.

Summit like that anyway.

I will try the whole chromosome talk but knowing my boys i will be left with an empty room while they find out which one can empty the shamppo bottles down the toilet the quickest.