Abuyog Community College

College of Education, Arts and Sciences

Abuyog, Leyte

“UNCOVERING THE BATTLES AND SCHEME OF

A 13 YEAR-OLD CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME”
(A Case Study)

In Partial Fulfilment of the Course Requirements in

Professional Education 3 – Foundation of Special and Inclusive Education

Prepared by:

Chyra Mae A. Ceraga

Ervin L. Ochia
Mark Dave Y. Joser
Roseann N. Villote
Tonton J. Recreo

Submitted to:

MR. JONATHAN T. BUDLONG, LPT, MT II

Instructor

S.Y 2021-2022
 Abstract

This section highlighted the main purpose of the study which is to unveil the
battles and scheme of a 13 year-old suffering from Down Syndrome. Moreover,
this explanation presents explanatory study on the nature of Down Syndrome
or Trisomy 21 deemed to be the prevalent chromosomal abnormality. Also, this
deliberation approaches observational analysis in accumulating essential and
necessary data intended for the success of the study. To summarize, this
partition further discussed the profiling, status, and birth history of the child
referred to as “DERCT” with melancholic disorder.
 Introduction

Down Syndrome or Trisomy 21 previously known as “Mongolism” 1. Is the most

common chromosomal abnormality among humans. The conditioned was
named after a British physician, John Langdon Down, who coined and described
the Syndrome in 1806. The most popular attributes of the condition includes
physical growth delays, subnormal mentality and severe degree of intellectual
disability which is one of the most prevalent feature. In the sphere, 1 in 800
children are born with this sort of Syndrome. The total no. Of people affected
globally is estimated at around 40-50 million. A child with Down syndrome
suffers from hypotonia, excessive joint flexibility, an increased risk of obesity,
short limbs , neurological and language delays. Approximately, 40-50% of
children with Down Syndrome presents congenital heart defects. Individually
tailored physiotherapy and psychotherapy is needed to address the problems
faced by children with this condition. To be able to support pertinent
neurological development, physical therapy plays an essential from the first
months of life.

Keywords: Chromosome, Trisomy 21, Syndrome

 Birth History

This section stressed-out the history of the respondent, referred to “DERCT” as

the researchers recount how she came to have this affliction.

According to Mayo Clinic Organization, Down syndrome is a genetic disorder

caused when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of
chromosome 21. This extra genetic material causes the developmental changes
and physical features of Down syndrome.

Hence , that’s the case of “DERCT” but according to the statement of her
parent (mother) it was then a hereditary to the side of her husband to the fact
that they also have this kind of condition, at an early 5 months of “DERCT”
they already observed some changes through her physical features and the
abnormality that they conclude continuously manifested year later, another
assumptions of her mother why “DERCT” got this kind of disorder was about
the vices like the excessive intake of alcohol and drugs while she was pregnant.
Research shows that there is no safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy;
even a very small amount can have negative effects on the developing fetus.

For this reason, health care providers recommend that women avoid drinking
alcohol and eating foods or taking medications that may contain alcohol, such
as certain cough syrups, if there is a chance they might be pregnant. However,
Down’s syndrome does not run in families in almost all cases. As you get older,
your chances of having a kid with Down’s syndrome increase compared for
those young women, but anyone can have a Down’s syndrome baby. The
mother was 33 year old when she became pregnant with Pooh, which could be
a clear indication of why her child developed this kind of condition.
 Down Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Risk Factor

Causes

Down syndrome results when abnormal cell division involving chromosome 21

occurs. These cell division abnormalities result in an extra partial or full
chromosome 21. This extra genetic material is responsible for the characteristic
features and developmental problems of Down syndrome. Any one of three
genetic variations can cause Down syndrome:

• Trisomy 21 – About 95 percent of the time, Down syndrome is caused

by trisomy 21 — the person has three copies of chromosome 21, instead of the
usual two copies, in all cells. This is caused by abnormal cell division during the
development of the sperm cell or the egg cell.

• Mosaic Down syndrome - In this rare form of Down syndrome, a person

has only some cells with an extra copy of chromosome 21. This mosaic of
normal and abnormal cells is caused by abnormal cell division after fertilization.

• Translocation Down syndrome - Down syndrome can also occur when a

portion of chromosome 21 becomes attached (translocated) onto another
chromosome, before or at conception. These children have the usual two copies
of chromosome 21, but they also have additional genetic material from
chromosome 21 attached to another chromosome.

There are no known behavioral or environmental factors that cause Down

syndrome.
 Symptoms

Each person with Down syndrome is an individual — intellectual and

developmental problems may be mild, moderate or severe. Some people are
healthy while others have significant health problems such as serious heart
defects.

Children and adults with Down syndrome have distinct facial features. Though
not all people with Down syndrome have the same features, some of the more
common features include:

• Flattened face
• Small head
• Short neck
• Protruding tongue
• Upward slanting eye lids (palpebral fissures)
• Unusually shaped or small ears
• Poor muscle tone
• Broad, short hands with a single crease in the palm
• Relatively short fingers and small hands and feet
• Excessive flexibility
• Tiny white spots on the colored part (iris) of the eye called Brushfield’s
spots • Short height

Infants with Down syndrome may be average size, but typically they grow
slowly and remain shorter than other children the same age.
 Risk Factor

Some parents have a greater risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. Risk
factors include:

• Advancing maternal age -A woman’s chances of giving birth to a child

with Down syndrome increase with age because older eggs have a greater risk
of improper chromosome division. A woman’s risk of conceiving a child with
Down syndrome increases after 35 years of age. However, most children with
Down syndrome are born to women under age 35 because younger women
have far more babies.

• Being carriers of the genetic translocation for Down syndrome – Both

men and women can pass the genetic translocation for Down syndrome on to
their children.

• Having had one child with Down syndrome- Parents who have one child
with Down syndrome and parents who have a translocation themselves are at
an increased risk of having another child with Down syndrome. A genetic
counselor can help parents assess the risk of having a second child with Down
syndrome.
 Profiling

Researchers case study patient identified with down syndrome, is referred to

as “DERCT,” age 13, dynamic and perseverant. Day-to-day, she possess a
dilemma with great reference to her language development as emphasized by
her parents. She had several words or lingo’s being uttered in an ambiguous
approach. Apart from it, “DERCT” is on her way of trying, trying and trying to
combat the tormenting condition yet, still arises complicated predicaments.
Concerning her psychological or intellectual situation, “DERCT” stranded from
mild-moderate cognitive disability which compels to perceived significant
challenges as observed. To be more specific, the patient we’re confronted with
different dysfunctions particularly with the span of attention, verbal memory
and the manner on how she expressed her thoughts and feelings.
Subsequently, great behavioral complication we’re exhibited which negatively
troubles “DERCT.” One of the manifested conduct was the stubbornness to
heed on her parent or others piece of advices and impulsivity that eventually
resulted unto a serious temper tantrums. On the other hand, she has strong
social fortes along with any household chores like dusting, feeding their pet etc.
Overall, the patient is in need to underwent Sped programs, therapeutics for
her condition and full support that would excel her to the point to converge her
needs.
 Status

In this section researchers highlighted the condition particularly on the physical

attributes, course of life brought by the distinct challenges and the societal
standing of the 13 year-old child with Down Syndrome referred to as “DERCT.”

In conformity with the observation and profound interpretations, researchers

have identified key concept across the condition of the responder.

Here visualizes some of the following physical attributes:

Face
• small chin
• Round face
• Flat nasal bridge
• brush feil spots in the iris
• abnormal outer ears
• flattened nose
• small ears that may fold over slightly at the top
• short stocky arm and legs
• low muscle tone and excessively lose joints

Extremities

• Short neck
• Small hands
• Short fingers

Currently, “DERCT” is tall for her age and her weight stranded at the lower end
of the normal range compared to the other children. She had low muscle tone
and difficulty in communication. Unfortunately, here and now, due to financial
and family matters, “DERCT” is one of those pitiful child with disability who’re
not given the probability to attend special classes. Apart from that, she does
not have any medications that might aid to treat her recent condition. She has
not even underwent nor benefited any physical therapy program. Thus
overtime, she has benefited alternate financial aid from the Department of
Social and Welfare Development DSWD for about 2 thousand pesos. “DERCT”
has been doing household chores as part of her daily living. Additionally, the
responder is a good example of a child with significant potential but possess
low sense of self-esteem. She’s self-proclaimed “Moira” as mentioned during
the interview. The responder has great devotion to sing, and dance all the time.
Behind from the perceived condition, she’s still trying to become independent
and long to be enrolled across SPED Education. Overall, it appears from the
observations and interview that “DERCT” is far behind of the children beyond
cognitive and linguistic abilities. These instances are deemed to be the greater
challenge for the girl. To summarize, “DERCT” is alone towards her battles since
her parent are less than understanding down to her condition. From the
observations, there is no real sense of support. If this situation would prolong,
there would be no great variation and ample chances that her condition would
worsen since there’s no adequate support being granted this time and beyond.
 Conclusion

This case study formulated its purpose to uncover the battles and scheme of a
13year-old girl with down syndrome (Trisomy 21), often known as “Mongolism,”
in terms of physical characteristics, life path problems, and societal standing.
To summarize the significant factors that led the researchers to conclude that
the respondent’s foundation into his\her battles and difficulties is due to a lack
of financial support, family issues, a lack of precise medication, and being
neglected were untoward the benefits of the physical therapy program. Beyond
cognitive and language ability, “DERCT” lags behind the children. This is
considered to be the girl’s greater challenge. If the situation continues, there
will be no significant change and a strong probability that her condition will
deteriorate because she is not receiving adequate support at this time and in
the future. Thus, through the benefited alternate financial aid from the
Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) for about 2 thousand
pesos, it aids to support some of its basic necessities on a daily basis, as well
as through the care, love, and patience of its guardian and parents, it stands
to fulfill the positive scheme to allow “MOIRA” to continue to live a normal life
and participate in certain activities. As a result, despite the child’s impairment,
she had social skills and could conduct household tasks, leading us to assume
that some children with Down syndrome can accomplish certain typical
activities depending on the stage of the syndrome. Indeed, the respondent in
this study needs Sped programs, medications for her illness, and complete
assistance to bring her to a stage where her demands may be met.
 Recommendation

• The researchers advise the parents to enroll their child in the nearest
Special Education Institution.
• The researchers would like to recommend to parents that they attend
DSWD seminars and symposium programs concerning their child’s
condition.
• The researchers suggest the local MSWD to allocate adequate financial
resources to the child’s needs.
• The researchers humbly recommend parents to have a medical schedule
aided by MSWD at least twice a month to regularly check the holistic
status of their child.
• The researchers recommend that the Abuyog Municipal Government,
through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Department,
provide guidance to the family on what they need to know about the
child’s condition and how they should handle it until they are capable of
standing on their own.
 References

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/downsyndrome.html

https://mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/down-
syndrome/symptomscauses/syc-20355977
https://www.healthline.com/health/down-syndrome
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/down-syndrome.html
https://medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145554
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/down-syndrome/
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/down/conditioninfo/symptos