Week 3

WEEK 3

While reading these chapters this week, a big part stuck out to me at the very beginning of chapter three was the chart at the top of page 58 in LIFESMART Figure 3.4.  I found it very interesting to see the Maternal age at birth and the prevalence of births that included Down Syndrome.

I knew this type of unfortunate type of disease occurring in some new born genes was something that was some what rare was a mix of bad genetics and chromosomes, but did not know exactly how it happened to the new born baby while in the females body during the pregnancy.  I also did not know there were different types of syndromes a child could be diagnosed with; Klinefelter syndrome, XYY syndrome, fragile X sydrome, Turner syndrome, and most common down syndrome.

This seemed most interesting to me for this week, even though the other topics were supper informative on topics I didn't know much about.  The types of common and least common syndrome's was most interesting to me to pick up more information on.

I currently work with students in high school with Special Needs.  These students have moderate to severe disabilities.  I have two scholars with Down Syndrome.  I have never seen so much willingness to learn and educate themselves from a student that can not only read, but verbally communicate clearly with pronunciation.  A student in particular that I have has such a sharp mind and very tentative to detail, she is 17 years old and has the IQ of a Kindergarten student.  It is so interesting to me how her mind functions daily and how highly intelligent she is in particular areas.  While reading this chapter and these informational blurbs and graphs it has truly helped me understand how the mind works, and how her mind has become the way it is.

Down Syndrome is caused by an extra copy of a chromosome.  "Under the age of 30 the ratio is 1,700 births; once the woman reaches the age of 45, the incidence increases to 1 in 30 (Watson, 2003.) pg. 57 LIFESMART.  There has been proven studies to avoid having a child's life effected by this disorder.  No matter how old the child, the sex, height, age or weight.  I think every child is different in their own way.  Not ever should a child be singled out by their disorder no matter what it may be.  When seeing a student with a strong case of Down syndrome interact with other students that don't quite understand but are willing to help her out in any way possible, it is the best comforting feeling as a future educator.

In a child's mind, each child will always be there for each other.  When being so young and innocent it is something that functions in a human beings young stages that will give you a warm feeling in your heart to know that no child will ever be left behind no matter of any condition they are in.


I myself as a female, have not had a child yet.  Reading on this subject is very informational that I think any female with or without a child would find very interesting.  I also think that this reading would also catch the attention of that females partner to get a better understanding of what their female is going through or what they could do to be mindful before any hormones change in the women's body, good or bad.  I am really enjoying the readings, and informational data with charts in this book.  Great readings thus far!