Is it possible to have Down Syndrome but still be relatively intelligent?

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
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There's a girl at our school that is either ugly or has Down. My friends and I were debating whether someone can have a mild form of Down that has the physical manifestations but without a severe mental degradation.

Can anyone shed any light on this?
 

UncleWai

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2001
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It can be like a double negative, a defective form down syndrome = normally mentally.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
Originally posted by: UncleWai
It can be like a double negative, a defective form down syndrome = normally mentally.

Ouu that's interesting. That coudl be right
 
D

Deleted member 4644

There are a number of causes of physical deformity that looks like downs that do not cause massive mental problems.
 

revnja

Platinum Member
Feb 1, 2004
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Yes, I know of one particular case that I've seen first-hand here in town. The parents are both VERY intelligent (one HS teacher, one college professor) -- and they actually make an effort to teach their child things outside of school. Their son (who was diagnosed with down syndrome) is an intelligent boy who actually isn't that far behind his class, especially compared to the others in the school with down syndrome.

My experience from what I've seen locally is that most parents treat the schools as more of a daycare than a place for their child to learn. The aides that work with the children with down syndrome also express this same attitude. I think the boy I mentioned above benefits greatly from having his parents teach him in tandem with what he is learning in school. It's surprising how normal and capable the child is on his own.