Life with Down syndrome : influences on the development of social skills

Abstract

Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder that has been studied for nearly 150 years. During that time, people living with Down Syndrome have faced many adversities from multiple sources. Because they were originally seen as outcasts, most people living with Down Syndrome were originally institutionalized. This created negative notions about them as it kept them from being able to interact with their family and community. Over time, most of these notions were resolved as opportunities became available for people with Down's such as health and technology advancements, education (both about the disorder and schooling for students with Down's), and programs such as Special Olympics. Throughout my thesis, I analyze the affect that these new opportunities have had on people with Down Syndrome, mainly their social interaction. What I hope to accomplish with my thesis is to determine if a person born with Down Syndrome has a predetermined capacity/limitation toward social interaction or if that social interaction can be affected by the environment in which he or she is raised.