As many as 70 children with Down Syndrome were among those who participated in a function organised to observe World Down Syndrome Day at Bal Bhavan here on Friday. Many children with the genetic disorder performed on the occasion.
The function was organised by the Divya Down’s Development Trust so that children could be entertained, and awareness about the disease could be generated among the public.
“Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of one extra chromosome. A normal person has 46 chromosomes and the person with Down Syndrome has 47. This causes irreversible mental retardation and delayed physical development, requiring an elaborate early intervention and stimulation to trigger development of the child to a reasonable level. This includes physiotherapy, speech therapy, social and self-supporting skills being the prime focus,” Ms. Esther Thomas, founder of the trust, said.
