‘Did you know…?’

• Around one in every 1000 babies born in the UK will have Down’s syndrome.
• There are approximately 40,000 people in the UK with the condition.
• People with Down’s syndrome are all unique individuals with their own personalities, family backgrounds and preferences that make them who they are.
• Although the chance of a baby having Down’s syndrome is higher for older mothers, more babies with Down’s syndrome are born to younger women.
• Down’s syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in a baby’s cells. Down’s syndrome usually occurs because of a chance happening at the time of conception.
• Down’s syndrome occurs in all races, religious and economic situations.
• Down’s syndrome is not a disease. People with Down’s syndrome are not ill and do not “suffer” from the condition.
• People with the syndrome will have a learning disability. The learning disability affects a person’s ability to learn, it does not mean they cannot learn.
• Like most of the population, people with Down’s syndrome learn at school, have interests, hobbies and talents, have friends and relationships.
• Today the average life expectancy for a person with Down’s syndrome is between 50 and 60 with a small number of people living into their seventies.
National Helpline: 0333 1212 300 | info@downs-syndrome.org.uk | https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/