We rely on members of the press to raise awareness of Down’s syndrome that is both accurate and inoffensive to the general public, which includes people with Down’s syndrome and their families and friends.
As journalists, we are sure you strive to create articles that can be read by all members of society. While you may be busy meeting your deadline, please take a moment to make sure your copy follows the following guidelines and that your story does not include any myths about this stereotyped learning disability.
Don’t say | Say |
| Down’s baby/child/person; Mongol | baby/child/person with Down’s syndrome or who has Down’s syndrome |
| Down’s/Downs/Down/Down’s Syndrome | Down’s syndrome |
| Suffers/ victim of Down’s syndrome | has Down’s syndrome |
| Backward/mentally handicapped/retarded/slow | learning disability |
| Handicap/illness/disease | genetic condition/condition |
| The risk of having a baby with Down’s syndrome | the chance of having a baby with Down’s syndrome |
| Abbreviate as DSS (Down’s Syndrome Scotland) | DS Scotland |
If you have further questions regarding a phrase, word or spelling, please phone Heather, our Communications Officer, on 0131 313 8617/Out-of-Hours Pressline 0784 280 6067 or e-mail her at heather@dsscotland.org.uk
Myths | Facts |
| People with Down’s syndrome are always happy and enjoy art, theatre and music. | Just like anyone else, people with Down’s syndrome are all unique individuals with different gifts, abilities and personalities. |
| People with Down’s syndrome will all have health issues. | Health conditions vary depending on the individual’s genetics and many people may not have any issues at all. |
| People with Down’s syndrome all look the same. | Certain physical characteristics can occur but people with Down’s syndrome may have some, all or none of these characteristics. People with Down’s syndrome look more like their family members than other people with Down’s syndrome. |
| People with Down’s syndrome cannot achieve normal life achievements. | Many children with Down’s syndrome attend mainstream school and many adults can live independently and hold down jobs with support. |
| Only older mums have babies with Down’s syndrome. | Although the chance of a woman having a child with Down’s syndrome increases with her age at the time of conception, 80 per cent of children with Down’s syndrome are born to women younger than 35. |
| People with Down’s syndrome will not have a long life. | People with DS can now live into their 70s. |
To view our 9 Facts about Down’s syndrome click here.
