\n\t\t\t\tWhile the transition from school into adulthood is daunting for any teenager, it is more complex for those with a learning disability such as Downs Syndrome. There is a lot of decisions to be made; where to live, where to work and meeting new people outside of school life for example. This means early planning is essential to make this transition easier.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tDuring their time in school, Downs syndrome children have an Individualized Education Programme (IEP) which includes transition planning.1<\/sup> The main aim of this is to think of the future and the skills and aims required for when they become adults. Making a solid plan for the future with help from teachers and healthcare providers such as doctors can make life less stressful.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tAs the end of school life approaches, this can cause teenagers with Downs syndrome to have mood swings or not preform as well in school. This is due to school being more than a place to learn, it is a place where they can regularly socialise with a good support system eg) IEP. Leaving this structured environment can be hard to accept and get used to. However, the school or GP can provide additional help and support to overcome this.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLiving Arrangements: <\/u><\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tDepending on their individual needs, adults with Downs syndrome have a variety of options of where they would like to live. These include;\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t <\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tJobs and Higher Education:<\/u><\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tMore adults with Downs syndrome are going onto further education such as college and university, while others are getting jobs. For those that decide to go straight into the workplace, there is three main type of jobs they can look for with the option of Volunteering. These are:\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t <\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tRelationships and Social Well \u2013 Being:<\/u><\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tQuality of life is considered a crucial component to the well-being of patients with Downs syndrome.4<\/sup> The strength of quality care through stable social and psychological interactions has built a framework for a positive well-being for patients with Downs syndrome, improving their quality of life.5<\/sup> This means that although working is important, it is essential for people with Down syndrome to take part in sport, hobbies and other interests they may have.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tPeople with Downs syndrome also like to date, form loving relationships and some even get married. However, they may need additional support when it comes to things like birth control and STD\u2019s. Some couples may even consider starting a family although the fertility rate for men and woman with Downs syndrome tends to be lower. This doesn\u2019t mean they can\u2019t have children, but it does tend to make it more difficult. It is also worth noting that if one partner in a couple has Downs Syndrome, there is a 1 in 2 chance of their children having Downs syndrome too. There is also an increased risk of miscarriage and premature birth within women with Downs syndrome. In addition to this, becoming a new parent is hard for anyone, and even more so for people with Down syndrome, so extra help, support and specialist guidance will be usually be required in order to cope with the demands of a new baby.6<\/sup>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tHealth Issues:<\/u><\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tAdults with Down Syndrome are now living longer \u2013 the average life expectancy is now between 50 and 60 years old with some people even reaching their 70s. As they get older, people with Down syndrome are more likely to suffer from mental health issues, like depression. This can be triggered by a variety of reasons, most commonly loss, like the death of a parent. In other instances, there are medical reasons.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tIn comparison to the general population there is an increased risk with early ageing and age-related health problems at an earlier stage of life. This includes dementia, memory loss, and changes in personality that are similar traits of Alzheimer\u2019s disease.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tDepression is just as common in the general population in comparison to those with Down Syndrome and both are affected in exactly the same way. It is the most commonly diagnosed mental health issue for those with Down Syndrome. Depression is much more than feeling sad or low for a short while. Symptoms usually persist for at least two weeks, and often much longer. Dr Kerim Munir (Boston Children\u2019s Hospital) has written<\/a> that children and adults with Downs syndrome and symptoms of depression often lose the ability to enjoy many activities they used to love, they lose skills and they become very withdrawn. Depression may have appeared relatively quick or may have developed gradually over the course of many months.7<\/sup>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tWhen mental health doctors meet with a patient to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan, they rely on standard diagnostic criteria which has been developed by the American Psychiatric Association.8 <\/sup>Many of these criteria are based on the patient being able to self- report subjective feelings eg) feelings of worthlessness. This means diagnosing depression in a person with Downs Syndrome is extremely complicated, due to limited verbal communication and conceptual thinking which affect the individual\u2019s participation in the psychiatric interview.9<\/sup> In addition to this, diagnosis may be further complicated by medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency and Alzheimer\u2019s dementia, all of which have symptoms that can mimic depression.10<\/sup>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tTreatment for depression includes;\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t <\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t <\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tChromosome 21 carries the APP gene, which produces a specific protein called Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP). An excess amount of this protein causes a buildup of protein clumps (beta-amyloid plaques) in the brain.11<\/sup> As someone with Down Syndrome has an extra copy of chromosome 21, by the age of 40 they will have these plaques, and as a result, there is increased problems with how the brain cells function and therefore an increased risk of dementia.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tIt is important to note that not everyone with Down Syndrome will develop Alzheimer\u2019s. However, for those that do, the signs and symptoms usual start to show around 40 – 50 years old. The most common early signs are changes in overall function, personality and behaviour compared to the usual symptoms of memory loss and forgetfulness. Examples of these signs include;\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tDiagnosis of dementia is difficult in a person with down syndrome due to the challenges associated with an intellectual learning disability. Diagnosis usually takes a long time and can only be confirmed after consideration of a number of factors, including; detailed history, performance on assessments over an extended period of time and exclusion of all other possible reasons for change.13<\/sup>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tAlthough there is no cure for Alzheimer\u2019s dementia, drugs such as donepezil (an anti-cholinesterase inhibitors) have been shown to be effective in alleviating symptoms and slowing progression. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tOther health issues adults with Down syndrome tend to face include:\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tTo help someone with Down syndrome remain healthy as they grow older, it is vital ensure they get regular check-ups and stay on top of any medical issues they have.14<\/sup>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t <\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \t\t\t\tWhile the transition from school into adulthood is daunting for any teenager, it is more complex for those with a learning disability such as Downs Syndrome. There is a lot of decisions to be mad<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9267","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-essayshealth-and-social-care"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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