All they need is your Love & Support

Many children dream of going to school, wearing the illustrious uniform or being able to talk and communicate. It’s the ultimate desire everyone strives for – being “accepted”! Acceptance is something we all strive for and struggle with throughout at every stage of life, whether it be at school, college or at social events. Have you ever thought about how hard the mentally challenged are trying to be accepted? After all they are just human too.  

Most individuals with Down syndrome or any other disfunctionality have the ability to soften the hardest of hearts and just recognize the very best in everyone. They measure ones value by the size of smile and the sound of their laugh. And what do we do in return? Call them retarded, ignore them, tie them with chains and let them get frustrated with their life.

Let me ask you something. If no matter what you did and your society wouldn’t accept you wouldn’t you feel frustrated?

They are many examples of societies internationally supporting these children, like NDSC and NDSS. Educating and training the mentally challenged like those suffering from down syndrome to enable them to live there lives independently. They them a bright future that is more than being tied to chains and termed “retarded”. They are treating them like any other normal individual and letting them feel the pride and joy of being able to do their daily chores.

Behind every successful individual there is a support team. This team may be your family, friends or loved ones. However in Pakistan the people suffering from Down syndrome are isolated. They don’t have people around who unconditionally love them; instead, they are considered a burden.

Today, with early intervention programs and medical advances, the possibilities for individuals with Down syndrome are almost limitless. Like all people, those with Down syndrome have a variety of talents and abilities.

And, like their siblings, many people with Down syndrome can graduate from high school, attend college, hold meaningful jobs, and may learn to drive or get married. For a child with DS a school uniform can become a symbol of acceptance.

All bring unique qualities into the world.

If more and more people with Down syndrome are included in schools, places of worship, workplaces and even television shows, Pakistanis will become more familiar with this fairly common chromosome variation and stop this discrimination.

FEATURED BOOKS

	Achieving Best Behavior for Children with Developmental Disabilities a Step-by-Step Workbook for Parents by Pamela Lewis is an accessible workbook designed specifically for parents of children with developmental disabilities.
	Basic Skills Checklist: Teacher-Friendly Assessment for Students with Autism or Special Needs by Marlene Breitenbach is a helpful checklist in special-needs and inclusive classrooms while serving children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
	Behaviour Self!” Using Behavioural Concepts to Understand and Work with People with Developmental Disabilities by Dave Hingsburger gives insight to parents and staff with new ways on how to get the message right.
	Climbing Art Obstacles in Autism is an exceptional book that offers young children with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental delays an imaginative, yet structured way to explore art.
	The book “Demystifying Syndromes”, was developed by Dorothy M. Griffiths & Robert King to be a practical summary of some of the common syndromes related to developmental disability for professionals and students in the fiel
	Job Success for Persons with Developmental Disabilities demonstrates that by employing a step-by-step procedure for gaining insight into the client, analyzing market opportunities, matching the client to a job, and supporting the client after placement, service providers can help individuals make a successful transition into good community-based employment.
	In this book Dr. Chicoine and Dr. McGuire provide invaluable insight into what health problems are more common in their patients, and how medical issues can “present” differently in people with Down syndrome.
	Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome is an invaluable resource for parents, mental health professionals, teachers and caregivers who want to understand better how to promote mental health and resolve psychosocial problems in people with Down syndrome.
	Conversation Skills, by speech and language therapist Dr. Marilyn Banks, cover the basic and essential communication skills that will help young people enjoy successful job experiences and more fulfilling and independent social lives.

FACTS ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME

• Down syndrome is a chromosome variation with no known cause. 
• It is not related to race, nationality, religion or socio-economic status. 
• In the United States, approximately one in every 800 – 1,000 children is born with Down syndrome. 
• Between 250,000 and 350,000 families in the United States are affected by Down syndrome. 
• About 80 percent of babies with Down syndrome are born to women under age 35. 
• People with Down syndrome widely vary in mental abilities, physical development and behavior. 
• Individuals with Down syndrome benefit from loving homes, early intervention, education, appropriate medical care and positive public attitudes. In adulthood, many people with Down syndromehold jobs, live independently and enjoy communitylife, just like everyone else.  

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs in one in every 691 births. It is the most frequently occurring chromosomal condition and is found in people of all races and economic levels. National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) are examples of organisations working for the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

There is a need for development of such societiess and organisations across Pakistan where all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities.

Pakistan Down Syndrome Association (PDSA) was established in 2009. the purpose of this DPO was to raise awareness about rights of Down Syndrome children in Pakistan. Many people in Pakistan are unaware of Down Syndrome and the ones who are aware and have Down Syndrome children have hidden them at homes.

PDSA is committed to make the people of this country aware about Down Syndrome Children and promote the rights of these children.