{"id":141842,"date":"2025-12-19T11:00:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T19:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/?p=141842"},"modified":"2025-12-17T13:47:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T21:47:01","slug":"what-is-down-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/what-is-down-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Down Syndrome?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/files\/2025\/12\/shared-image-1-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-141844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/files\/2025\/12\/shared-image-1-edited.jpg 600w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/files\/2025\/12\/shared-image-1-edited-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/files\/2025\/12\/shared-image-1-edited-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs when a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21.  This extra chromosome influences learning and development\u2014but it also brings unique strengths, perspectives, and endless potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At GiGi&#8217;s Playhouse, we celebrate individuals with Down syndrome for who they are: capable, determined, and full of possibility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Causes Down Syndrome?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people are born with 46 chromosomes. Individuals with Down syndrome are born with 47, due to an extra copy of chromosome 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This happens by chance at conception and is not caused by anything a parent did or didn&#8217;t do. It occurs across all backgrounds and communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are three types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Trisomy 21 (most common)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Translocation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mosaic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every individual with Down syndrome is wonderfully unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Common Is Down Syndrome?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Down syndrome occurs in about 1 in every 700 births in the United States, making it the most common chromosomal condition.  Today, individuals with Down syndrome are living longer, healthier lives and achieving milestones every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:68px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/files\/2025\/12\/Media-22-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-141845\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/files\/2025\/12\/Media-22-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/files\/2025\/12\/Media-22-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/files\/2025\/12\/Media-22-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/files\/2025\/12\/Media-22-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/files\/2025\/12\/Media-22.jpg 1764w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Life with Down Syndrome is Full and Meaningful<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Life with Down syndrome looks like&#8230; life. Individuals with Down syndrome:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Learn, grow, and explore<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build strong friendships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Participate in sports and fitness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Express creativity and leadership<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work, volunteer, and give back<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Live independently or with support<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With support, encouragement, and inclusive opportunities, individuals continue to shine at every age.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How GiGi&#8217;s Playhouse Celebrates and Supports Individuals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GiGi&#8217;s Playhouse offers free, purposeful programs for individuals with Down syndrome from birth through adulthood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our programs focus on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/one-on-one-literacy-tutoring\/\">Education (1:1 Literacy Tutoring)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/gigifit\/\">Purposeful fitness (GiGiFIT)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social connection and confidence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Life skills and independence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every program is designed to highlight strengths, build confidence, and create meaningful moments\u2014<strong>always at no cost to families.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:27px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Celebrating a World Where Everyone Belongs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At GiGi&#8217;s Playhouse, our mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome and send a global message of acceptance for all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learn more about our programs, volunteer opportunities, or ways to support free programming at GiGi&#8217;s Playhouse <a href=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/ways-to-give\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/ways-to-give\/\">here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs when a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. This extra chromosome influences learning and development\u2014but it also brings unique strengths, perspectives, and endless potential. At GiGi&#8217;s Playhouse, we celebrate individuals with Down syndrome for who they are: capable, determined, and full of possibility.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29194,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141842","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-awareness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141842","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29194"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141842"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141842\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141842"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141842"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/simivalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141842"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}