Knowledge Center

Educational resources and awareness articles about Down syndrome

Want to understand Down syndrome from the ground up? This section answers the essential questions: what Down syndrome is and how it occurs, its three types, prenatal and postnatal diagnosis, and key evidence-based facts. You will also find a guide to using respectful and accurate language when talking about people with Down syndrome.

A practical guide to the correct terminology when talking about Down syndrome — how to use respectful, person-first language.

Discover the truth behind the most common myths about Down syndrome — 7 cards that debunk misconceptions and replace them with verified scientific and human facts.

21 scientific and human facts about Down syndrome — from prevalence and causes to health, abilities, and rights.

Learn about prenatal screening tests for Down syndrome — including serum screening and ultrasound — as well as definitive diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, plus how diagnosis is confirmed at birth.

Learn about the three types of Down syndrome: Trisomy 21 (95%), Translocation (4%), and Mosaic (1%), and discover the incidence rates by mother's age.

Explore the history of Down syndrome from John Langdon Down's description in 1866 to the identification of chromosome 21 in 1959, and learn what research reveals about its causes today.

Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition occurring in about one in 700 births. Learn about its genetic causes, physical characteristics, and how people with Down syndrome lead fulfilling lives.