Down syndrome is the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability and associated medical problems and occurs in one out of 691 live births, in all races and economic groups. During the month of October, we celebrate people with Down syndrome and make people aware of their abilities and accomplishments. It’s not about celebrating disabilities, it’s about celebrating abilities. To learn more about Down syndrome, go to http://www.dsa-gc.org
Rett syndrome is a rare non-inherited genetic postnatal neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls and leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child’s life: their ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe easily. The hallmark of Rett syndrome is near constant repetitive hand movements while awake. Cognitive assessment in children with Rett syndrome is complicated, but we know that they understand far more than they can communicate to us, evidenced by their bright and attentive eyes, and their ability to express a wide spectrum of moods and emotions. About 1 in 10,000 females are born with Rett syndrome. For more information on Rett syndrome, go to http://www.rettsyndrome.org