Life beyond Down's syndrome

March 20, 2007 12:00 am | Updated July 26, 2011 12:05 pm IST

Staff Reporter

Children to showcase their talents in music, drama tomorrow

Chennai: The Down's Syndrome Association of Tamil Nadu will observe World Down's Syndrome Day on March 21.

Along with Matru Mandir, an organisation engaged in rehabilitating those with Down's syndrome, it will organise a programme at Narada Gana Sabha on TTK Road. Children with Down's syndrome will showcase their talent in dance, drama and music.

Association chairperson Rekha Ramachandran, who established Matru Mandir, said activities to help children with the condition were being organised. These include special training sessions, parental education and counselling, and vocational training. Matru Mandir has a multi-sensory centre for children and adults with Down's syndrome, she told mediapersons.

Paediatric dysmorphologist at the Foetal Care Research Foundation Sujatha Jagadeesh said Down's syndrome can be detected in a foetus during the early stages of pregnancy. Children with Down's syndrome have features such as a small head, upward slant of an eye, sunken nasal bridge, protruding tongue, and short stumpy fingers. They will also have low intelligence levels.

Many misconceptions exist among parents with such children; some are not even aware that it is Down's syndrome.

They do not realise that the child requires special education and training, Ms. Rekha Ramachandran said.

The Association is working towards integrating children with Down's syndrome into schools for normal children.

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