Lucy Dix of Down Syndrome Training & Support Service gave an excellent talk to the members of her own experience when she had a baby girl 4 years ago born with Down Syndrome. She explained that Down Syndrome is caused by the child having one extra chromosome from conception. Life expectancy used to be up to 8 years but now is 50 to 60 years. Lucy who trained as a teacher is now doing post-graduate research on “how does the theory of mind develop in children with Down syndrome?”
All the things we do such as dressing ourselves, washing ourselves we take for granted but for a child with Down Syndrome this is a mountain to climb. They have a short span memory and are often unable to carry out or memorise procedures or actions and then become very frustrated.
Locally there is a Family Support Group available from 8 weeks. Training is available now at the Pamela Sunter Centre, 2 Whitley Street, Bingley, BD16 4JH. Tel/fax 01274 561308 Contact: Wendy Uttley or Wendy Rhodes.
Lucy was thanked for a very interesting talk on a subject that most do not like to discuss.