Down syndrome, also called Trisomy 21, is a genetic condition in which an individual has 47 chromosomes instead of 46. In most cases, an extra copy of chromosome 21 is the cause of Down syndrome. This extra copy of the chromosome affects typical mental and physical development. Severity of Down syndrome varies from person to person, but common characteristics include: Decreased muscle tone at birth Small ears and mouth Upward slanting eyes Small stature Small hands and feet Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition, and according to the CDC, one in 691 babies in the United States are born with Down syndrome. Children with Down syndrome might have delayed language development and slow motor development. Other health conditions that commonly occur with Down syndrome include congenital heart disease, hearing problems, intestinal problems (blocked small bowel or celiac disease), problems with memory or concentration, eye problems (such as cataracts), or skeletal problems. Most individuals with Down syndrome have an intellectual disability, and they often have IQs within the mild to moderate range. Speech delays, as well as both fine and gross motor delays are common, which can also interfere with cognitive development. Children with Down syndrome can benefit from a variety of therapies, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy. They might require special education, while many others can be integrated in a typical...

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder with an extra chromosome 21, causing physical and mental developmental challenges.

What is Down Syndrome?

 Down syndrome, also called Trisomy 21, is a genetic condition in which an individual has 47 chromosomes instead of 46. In most cases, an extra copy of chromosome 21 is the cause of Down syndrome. This extra copy of the chromosome affects typical mental and physical development.   Severity of Down syndrome varies from person to person, but common characteristics include:    Decreased muscle tone at birth   Small ears and mouth   Upward slanting eyes   Small stature   Small hands and feet    Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition, and according to the CDC, one in 691 babies in the United States are born with Down syndrome.    Children with Down syndrome might have delayed language development and slow motor development. Other health conditions that commonly occur with Down syndrome include congenital heart disease, hearing problems, intestinal problems (blocked small bowel or celiac disease), problems with memory or concentration, eye problems (such as cataracts), or skeletal problems.   Most individuals with Down syndrome have an intellectual disability, and they often have IQs within the mild to moderate range. Speech delays, as well as both fine and gross motor delays are common, which can also interfere with cognitive development.    Children with Down syndrome can benefit from a variety of therapies, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy. They might require special education, while many others can be integrated in a typical...

Osteopenia is a precursor to osteoporosis, and it typically occurs in adults over the age of 55. So why are many children showing signs of bone loss? One cause might be celiac disease. Osteopenia falls in between healthy bone and osteoporosis in regards to the amount of bone mineral density. Osteopenia affects roughly half of all Americans over the age of 50, and the cause of bone loss is typically from not getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Adults with celiac disease also have a high risk of osteopenia, and the amount of these adults with low bone density is somewhere between 80 and 100 percent. Research also shows that even children with celiac disease have extremely low bone density; some research even shows that 50 percent of children with celiac disease have osteopenia. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which antibodies attack the stomach and intestines due to ingestion of gluten. This disorder causes malnutrition because essential vitamins and nutrients are not being absorbed in the body. One such important mineral is calcium, which is essential for building strong bones. Celiac disease can be hard to diagnose if your child is not exhibiting some of the common symptoms, such as irritable bowel, bloating, diarrhea, and poor growth. Malabsorption of minerals like calcium might be occurring even without the presence of these symptoms. While a child with osteopenia might look normal on the outside, their bones...

Celiac disease, leading to poor nutrient absorption, may cause osteopenia--a precursor to osteoporosis--even in children.

Osteopenia and Celiac Disease

  Osteopenia is a precursor to osteoporosis, and it typically occurs in adults over the age of 55. So why are many children showing signs of bone loss? One cause might be celiac disease.   Osteopenia falls in between healthy bone and osteoporosis in regards to the amount of bone mineral density. Osteopenia affects roughly half of all Americans over the age of 50, and the cause of bone loss is typically from not getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet.   Adults with celiac disease also have a high risk of osteopenia, and the amount of these adults with low bone density is somewhere between 80 and 100 percent. Research also shows that even children with celiac disease have extremely low bone density; some research even shows that 50 percent of children with celiac disease have osteopenia.   Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which antibodies attack the stomach and intestines due to ingestion of gluten. This disorder causes malnutrition because essential vitamins and nutrients are not being absorbed in the body. One such important mineral is calcium, which is essential for building strong bones.   Celiac disease can be hard to diagnose if your child is not exhibiting some of the common symptoms, such as irritable bowel, bloating, diarrhea, and poor growth. Malabsorption of minerals like calcium might be occurring even without the presence of these symptoms. While a child with osteopenia might look normal on the outside, their bones...

Celiac disease, leading to poor nutrient absorption, may cause osteopenia--a precursor to osteoporosis--even in children.

Osteopenia and Celiac Disease

'What? Gluten intolerance? Wheat allergy? Not me!' Gluten-Free has become a fad. Many doctors, dieticians, and nutritionists today may suspect and diagnose Celiac Disease, (CD), yet are mystified about what diet to recommend. Some doctors don't know that wheat is allergy-related and gluten is intolerance, not an allergy. Many people are sensitive to both. Some doctors tell gluten intolerant patients to avoid wheat, barley, and rye. Very few doctors and nutritionists know about cross-links that occur in many foods and especially in many gluten-free products, such as tapioca and corn. Wheat allergy should not be confused with gluten intolerance. Celiac Disease, (Celiac Sprue), affects the small intestine, and is caused by an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. Usually diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, it is an auto-immune related digestive disease that causes serious complications such as malnutrition and intestinal damage if left untreated. Wheat, a grain, contains four major proteins that can cause an allergy Gluten is found in wheat as well as barley, rye, and many other grains oats. Europeans in general are more informed about Celiac Disease than most North Americans. Italian children are tested for CD before they are allowed to go to school, and Celiacs receive a discount from the government for their special diets. It is interesting to know that Italians have the highest degree of CD on the planet. Approximately 20% of wheat-allergic children in the world also are allergic to other grains. Friends and family commiserate, unaware they, too, may be afflicted with...

Gluten intolerance and wheat allergy are distinct; many unaware of proper diet for Celiac Disease, which is hereditary and serious.

Gluten-free? Why Me?

'What? Gluten intolerance? Wheat allergy? Not me!' Gluten-Free has become a fad. Many doctors, dieticians, and nutritionists today may suspect and diagnose Celiac Disease, (CD), yet are mystified about what diet to recommend. Some doctors don't know that wheat is allergy-related and gluten is intolerance, not an allergy. Many people are sensitive to both. Some doctors tell gluten intolerant patients to avoid wheat, barley, and rye. Very few doctors and nutritionists know about cross-links that occur in many foods and especially in many gluten-free products, such as tapioca and corn. Wheat allergy should not be confused with gluten intolerance. Celiac Disease, (Celiac Sprue), affects the small intestine, and is caused by an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. Usually diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, it is an auto-immune related digestive disease that causes serious complications such as malnutrition and intestinal damage if left untreated. Wheat, a grain, contains four major proteins that can cause an allergy Gluten is found in wheat as well as barley, rye, and many other grains oats. Europeans in general are more informed about Celiac Disease than most North Americans. Italian children are tested for CD before they are allowed to go to school, and Celiacs receive a discount from the government for their special diets. It is interesting to know that Italians have the highest degree of CD on the planet. Approximately 20% of wheat-allergic children in the world also are allergic to other grains.  Friends and family commiserate, unaware they, too, may be afflicted with...

Gluten intolerance and wheat allergy are distinct; many unaware of proper diet for Celiac Disease, which is hereditary and serious.

Gluten-free and casein-free diets (also referred to as GFCF) continue to grow in popularity as an alternative remedy for treating special needs like autism or ADHD. While some parents say their child's symptoms disappear while on these diets, other parents note their children do not improve. So what exactly is GFCF and how does it help? Gluten is a protein found in grains, such as wheat and barley. While gluten is harmless for many children, those individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity can have extreme symptoms even from the smallest bite of food containing gluten. For those children with celiac disease, the body released antibodies that attack the intestines and prevent the body from absorbing nutrients from food. It often results in extreme pain, stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or NCGS, also causes an autoimmune reaction, but it does not cause the body to create those antibodies like celiac disease. There is no treatment for celiac disease or NCGS except a gluten-free diet. These diets can be tricky for kids because of food provided at school or parties, and eating out with the family can be challenging as well. Working with a dietician is important to ensure your child is not missing out on vitamins and nutrients often obtained from foods with gluten. Casein is a milk protein found in milk and other dairy products. A casein-free diet eliminates dairy products and some...

GFCF diets are popular for autism/ADHD; gluten and casein may worsen symptoms in some. Strict label reading and nutrition care are vital.

What is Gluten-Free and Casein-Free?

 Gluten-free and casein-free diets (also referred to as GFCF) continue to grow in popularity as an alternative remedy for treating special needs like autism or ADHD. While some parents say their child's symptoms disappear while on these diets, other parents note their children do not improve. So what exactly is GFCF and how does it help?   Gluten is a protein found in grains, such as wheat and barley. While gluten is harmless for many children, those individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity can have extreme symptoms even from the smallest bite of food containing gluten.   For those children with celiac disease, the body released antibodies that attack the intestines and prevent the body from absorbing nutrients from food. It often results in extreme pain, stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or NCGS, also causes an autoimmune reaction, but it does not cause the body to create those antibodies like celiac disease.    There is no treatment for celiac disease or NCGS except a gluten-free diet. These diets can be tricky for kids because of food provided at school or parties, and eating out with the family can be challenging as well. Working with a dietician is important to ensure your child is not missing out on vitamins and nutrients often obtained from foods with gluten.    Casein is a milk protein found in milk and other dairy products. A casein-free diet eliminates dairy products and some...

This is a great place to find resources for children with special needs. We are an informational haven for parents who are starting out or going through any of the many phases of raising a special needs child. The many different articles, books, CD's and more will provide any parent with the chance to learn from other parents' experiences. We are also a great resource for anyone who is working with special needs children so that you can keep up on current information and provide the children in their care with the most effective care and activities to obtain the best results. We offer resources for children with special needs of all types. Autism, bipolar disorders, celiac disease, dyslexia, turner syndrome and Down syndrome are just some of the conditions that parents and others working with special needs children are constantly seeking new information on. Whether you have just gotten the diagnosis for your child or are adding a child with a different disability to your classroom, we have the information that you need to help you make the transition an easier one for you, your students or siblings, and the child. While Down syndrome and autism are somewhat familiar terms for most of us, most parents aren't prepared for the diagnosis that will label their child as special needs. From the time that you realize your child will require a different type of care and education than other children; you begin seeking resources for children with special...

Find resources and support for parents and providers caring for children with special needs, including various conditions and phases.

Resources For Children With Special Needs

This is a great place to find resources for children with special needs. We are an informational haven for parents who are starting out or going through any of the many phases of raising a special needs child. The many different articles, books, CD's and more will provide any parent with the chance to learn from other parents' experiences. We are also a great resource for anyone who is working with special needs children so that you can keep up on current information and provide the children in their care with the most effective care and activities to obtain the best results.  We offer resources for children with special needs of all types. Autism, bipolar disorders, celiac disease, dyslexia, turner syndrome and Down syndrome are just some of the conditions that parents and others working with special needs children are constantly seeking new information on. Whether you have just gotten the diagnosis for your child or are adding a child with a different disability to your classroom, we have the information that you need to help you make the transition an easier one for you, your students or siblings, and the child.  While Down syndrome and autism are somewhat familiar terms for most of us, most parents aren't prepared for the diagnosis that will label their child as special needs. From the time that you realize your child will require a different type of care and education than other children; you begin seeking resources for children with special...

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Special Needs
Articles

What is Down Syndrome?

Osteopenia and Celiac Disease

Gluten-free? Why Me?

What is Gluten-Free and Casein-Free?

Resources For Children With Special Needs

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

What is Down Syndrome?

Osteopenia and Celiac Disease

Gluten-free? Why Me?

What is Gluten-Free and Casein-Free?

Resources For Children With Special Needs

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles