Jill Keppeler - What Happens When Someone in My Family Has Down Syndrome?

Published in 2020 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. 29 East 21st Street, New York, NY 10010 Copyright 2020 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer. First Edition Editor: Rachel Gintner Book Design: Rachel Rising Photo Credits: . | Keppeler, Sam. | Keppeler, Sam.

Title: What happens when someone in my family has down syndrome? / Jill and Sam Keppeler. Description: New York: PowerKids Press, 2020. | Series: Help me understand | Includes glossary and index. Identifiers: ISBN 9781725309623 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781725309647 (library bound) | ISBN 9781725309630 (6 pack) Subjects: LCSH: Down syndrome--Juvenile literature. | Down syndrome--Patients--Family relationships--Juvenile literature. | People with mental disabilities--Juvenile literature.

Classification: LCC RC571.K47 2020 | DDC 616.858842--dc23 Manufactured in the United States of America CPSIA Compliance Information: Batch #CWPK20. For Further Information contact Rosen Publishing, New York, New York at 1-800-237-9932. CONTENTS Everyones Different Everyone in this world is different. People have different hair colors, different skin colors, different smiles, and different shapes. Some people are tall. Some people are short.

People also have different abilities and learn at different speeds. Sometimes, people are born with a condition called Down syndrome. Its not a sickness, and its not something you catch. Still, if you know and love someone with Down syndrome, you might wonder why theyre a little different. Remember, though, theyre mostly just like you! You might have a brother or sister with Down syndrome. They can still be your best friend! A Little Something Extra People with Down syndrome are born with it.

The condition has to do with chromosomes, which are parts inside every cell in your body. Chromosomes hold . Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes, which means they have a total of 46. However, people with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome, or an extra part of a chromosome, with the 21st set. Because of this, theyre a little different. Half of your chromosomes come from one parent and half come from the other. Half of your chromosomes come from one parent and half come from the other.

Health Problems Because people with Down syndrome form differently before theyre born, sometimes they have certain health issues. About half of all babies with Down syndrome are born with a heart problem. This means their heart doesnt work like it should. They might need to fix it. This could be scary if its your brother or sister. Kids with Down syndrome may get sick more often.

They might have problems hearing or seeing. They might need hearing aids or glassesjust like lots of other people. People with Down syndrome often look a certain way. However, not all people with the condition will have the same . Their Own Path If your family member with Down syndrome is a younger brother, sister, or cousin, you might be excited for them to get older. Maybe you cant wait to talk to them about things you like or to run and play with them.

However, children with Down syndrome often do things on a different timeline than children without it. They might talk later, walk later, or understand different things later. You might be . Babies with Down syndrome like the same things other babies do. They love to be talked to and held! Its important to remember that your family member with Down syndrome will probably learn to do all or most of the things you can do. They might learn in a different way, and it might just take more time.

You can show them all you can do! Kids with Down syndrome go to school just like you. Maybe you know someone in your class with the condition. They might need a little extra help, but they still learn and play and take part. Sometimes kids with Down syndrome are in special classes. Other times, theyll learn right alongside you, just with a little extra aid. Answering Questions Because your family member with Down syndrome is different, your friends and classmates might ask questions about them.

They might stare. They might even call them names! This may make you mad, sad, or even . What do you do? Be patient with your friends. They probably dont understand! Maybe they havent been taught about Down syndrome. Explain why your family member is different. Sometimes people can be mean. Sometimes people can be mean.

People who are your friends, though, will understand. Sometimes, when youre out with your family, strangers might stare at your family member with Down syndrome. It could happen at a store, the library, or the park. Perhaps your brother or sister acts differently at times or has trouble with some situations. Maybe they dont always understand about being quiet or not saying certain things. This might make you really upset! However, you cant teach everyone in the world, especially strangers.

Try to people when you cant talk to them about the problem. There are a lot of about people with Down syndrome. But theyre just like everyone elsesometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes angry, sometimes silly! Being Patient If you have a brother or sister with Down syndrome, you might have to be very patient with them. They might not understand things you think they should understand. They might not learn as fast as you would like. Sometimes, you might not be able to understand them.