Dr John Downs, of whom the condition is so named after, found that children who were born with these similar characteristics and that after testing were complete. It was found that there was a common chromosome abnormality, which is known as 'Trisomy 21' (Cunningham, 1996).

Every pregnant woman is at risk of having a Downs Syndrome child. For example 1 in 1,000 women who are 28yrs will give birth to a child with this condition. However, the risk is much greater with a woman who is 38yrs, increasing the risk by approximately 1 in 200 births.

Until recently, it was thought that a woman's age was the only indicator to the risk involved. However, advances in medical practise can now carry out tests out by looking at a woman's hormone and protein levels during pregnancy. Also with the information of the expectant mother's age and the use of maternal screening, two thirds of Downs Syndrome infants can be identified whilst still in the womb.

By putting these naive statements in to context, it is meant that essentially this is the 'social model of disability'. In simple terms, this means that it is the environment (both physically and society's attitudes), which are the problems and not the condition that leads to physical mental impairments. With this model, the emphasis is on overcoming the negative environments so that a person with different needs, qualities and attributes can feel included in that community.

A particular aspect of problem behaviour is the use of avoidance strategies. Research has shown that, like many pupils with special needs, pupils with Downs Syndrome tend to adopt such strategies, which undermine the progress of their learning. Some pupils tend to use anti-social behaviour to distract adult attention and in doing so avoid learning. It is also recognised that they seem to be prepared to work only on tasks, which fall within a very narrowly defined cognitive range (Alton, 1998).

Perhaps more research needs to be conducted in respect of how Downs Syndrome can be combated. Yet this stirs up more moral and ethical arguments around the world such as 'who has the right to play god' and also not to look at whether it can be done, but should it be done?

1) Regular Trisomy 21- also known as Free or Standard Trisomy 21. In which all the cells carry the extra chromosome 21. 94% of people, who suffer from Downs Syndrome, suffer from this type.

Some common words found in the essay are:
June Sam, Regular Trisomy, Syndrome Alton, Partial ASVD, Children Syndrome, Dr John, Syndrome Sam, Sam LEA, EDUCATION SYNDROME, Sam Sam's, children syndrome, chromosome 21, alton 1998, extra chromosome, child syndrome, mainstream school, sam's parents, extra chromosome 21, trisomy 21, cunningham 1996, egg sperm, regular trisomy 21, due learning difficulties, sam's parents fighting, attended mainstream school,
Approximate Word count = 5491
Approximate Pages = 22 (250 words per page double spaced)