Down syndrome (DS) is caused by either an extra copy of chromosome 21 or by extra material on chromosome 21. This causes various levels of intellectual disability and issues with gross motor skill development which can prevent these individuals from participating in activities of daily living (ADL) such as getting dressed, self-care, or grocery shopping. People with DS have a decreased ability to balance, an abnormal and slower gait pattern, difficulty adapting to new environments, and a lack of improvement in these areas with growth and development when compared to their neurotypical peers. The objective of this study was to determine the immediate effects of resistance training (RT) and assisted cycle therapy (ACT) on adults with DS’s balance ability and gait speed. Each participant completed one session of RT, ACT (stationary cycling with the assistance of a motor to maintain a cadence of at least 35% greater than their voluntary cycling speed), and no training in a randomly selected order. Balance and gait speed were measured by a Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (CTSIB) (i.e., eyes open firm surface, eyes closed firm surface, eyes open foam surface, eyes closed foam surface) on a Balance Tracking System Board (Btracks board) and by a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. A total of ten participants’ data was used for analysis. The measures of total path length (cm), anterior-posterior (AP) excursion, and medial-lateral (ML) excursion were used to analyze the CTSIB. The average time was used to analyze the TUG test. The results showed that the eyes closed foam surface balance task was the most challenging balance task for every participant in every intervention. Furthermore, the most improvement was evident in the eyes closed foam surface balance task from pre to post intervention in all of the interventions. Post hoc tests also indicated statistically significant improvements of path length from pre to post in the RT intervention with the eyes closed foam surface balance task as well as with AP excursion in the ACT intervention with the eyes closed foam surface balance task. Possible explanations for improvements from pre to post in the eyes closed foam balance task across all interventions will be discussed with respect to the length of the intervention, and the effect of strength, social and learned factors on balance in adults with DS.

Statistics show that the termination rates for fetuses with Down syndrome are substantially higher compared to the general population. Perhaps pregnant women are led to believe that this is the best option for them. The information that leads them to this conclusion could be one of the leading factors for the high termination rates. In an attempt to understand the reasons behind the high termination rates the following question must be addressed: “What information is available to pregnant women that may influence their decision to terminate or not terminate fetuses with Trisomy 21?” In order to answer this question I completed a comprehensive literature review of the information available to pregnant women in the United States after they find out there fetus has Trisomy 21. The results showed that many sources publish information that is straightforward, factual, and attempts to make sure that pregnant women are fully informed on the reality of life with a child with Down syndrome. However, there are also many sources that publish information that is biased and attempts to influence a woman’s decision of whether to keep or abort her fetus with Trisomy 21. The results from this study suggest that the message conveyed from a given article relies heavily on who is doing the writing, the type of article it is, and were it is published. This provides women with a confusing array of different ideas, as opposed to offering them objective facts and consistent information. When a pregnant woman is told that her fetus is positive for the Trisomy 21 disorder and will be born with Down syndrome, it can be a very scary and emotional time. Women in this situation deserve easy access the correct information in order to help them make an informed decision based on their own choice and not the opinion of someone else.

Statistics show that the termination rates for fetuses with Down syndrome are substantially higher compared to the general population. Perhaps pregnant women are led to believe that this is the best option for them. The information that leads them to this conclusion could be one of the leading factors for the high termination rates. In an attempt to understand the reasons behind the high termination rates the following question must be addressed: “What information is available to pregnant women that may influence their decision to terminate or not terminate fetuses with Trisomy 21?” In order to answer this question I completed a comprehensive literature review of the information available to pregnant women in the United States after they find out there fetus has Trisomy 21. The results showed that many sources publish information that is straightforward, factual, and attempts to make sure that pregnant women are fully informed on the reality of life with a child with Down syndrome. However, there are also many sources that publish information that is biased and attempts to influence a woman’s decision of whether to keep or abort her fetus with Trisomy 21. The results from this study suggest that the message conveyed from a given article relies heavily on who is doing the writing, the type of article it is, and were it is published. This provides women with a confusing array of different ideas, as opposed to offering them objective facts and consistent information. When a pregnant woman is told that her fetus is positive for the Trisomy 21 disorder and will be born with Down syndrome, it can be a very scary and emotional time. Women in this situation deserve easy access the correct information in order to help them make an informed decision based on their own choice and not the opinion of someone else.