News Flash
DHAKA, June 17, 2025 (BSS) - Nabil (alias), a special child, was born with special characteristics like Down syndrome. Hailing from Sutrapur in Old Dhaka, Nabil's life is different from other children as he could not continue his study in general school.
So, his parents got him admitted to a local school named 'Earth of Children's school'. But, due to his physical weaknesses, he could not attend school regularly for which a private tutor is currently carrying out his studies at home.
Down syndrome: Science and characteristics:
Down syndrome or Down's syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21.It is usually associated with developmental delays, mild to moderate intellectual disability, and characteristic physical features. Every 700 children in the world are born with such syndrome while some 5,000 children in Bangladesh are born with Down syndrome every year.
Due to such characteristics, there are often complexities in physical and mental growth side by side the children with Down syndrome are often born with flattened face, small nose and ears and also with weak muscles. Their eyes can also be like bend shape while their body shape can be fat. Apart from this, their IQ level can be below the average standard for which they often tend to go slow with the usual education trend.
Symptoms and complexities:
Along with Down syndrome, various physical complexities arise like by borne heart disease, respiratory problem, problem in the intestines and thyroid. Besides, their disease resistance power also becomes less for which they are often susceptible to infection.
But, the physical and mental development of every child depends on proper care, therapy and appropriate education. If children like Fahim get the right directives and care, then they could gain significant improvements.
Detecting Down syndrome in pregnancy:
It is possible to detect Down syndrome in pregnancy. The physicians can ascertain this through ultrasound and hormone tests especially detecting Down syndrome within 20 weeks of pregnancy and thus the concerned families could be made aware of taking necessary preparations.
Lack of services and awareness in Bangladesh:
The awareness on Down syndrome is comparatively less in Bangladesh. The 'Bangladesh Down Syndrome Society' formed in 2016 has been working to ensure the rights and development of such children. Although many NGOs have taken initiatives in this regard, but firm services are yet to be ensured at national level.
According to experts, there is a lack of specialized schools and therapy centers for those children suffering from Down syndrome. Most of the families are not aware of the issue while many try to keep secret such syndrome among the children due to social stigma and superstition.
Necessity for education and training:
Special education is very much necessary to ensure physical and mental flourish of the children suffering from Down syndrome. But, the scope for such kind of specialized education in Bangladesh is limited. Due to lack of separate arrangements for such children in the general schools, the scope for education is often ruined for such students.
Experts said although the learning pace of such students is slow, but it is possible to bring them into the normal life through pursuing patience and proper method.
Role of families:
The role of families for the children suffering from Down syndrome is very important as patience, care and motivation of the concerned parents are essential for the improvement of such children. But, the reality is different as many families often fail to give proper attention to such children.
Counseling of parents can become helpful in this regard as these children can march towards prosperity and improvement through creating a positive environment among the families, providing regular therapy and treatment.
Point of view of society and what needs to be done:
The children suffering from Down syndrome need support not sympathy. Change in the mindset in the society is very much needed in this regard while it is also the duty of the society to ensure equal treatment to such children and also ensuring their due rights.
Experts opined that there is a need for more research, creating awareness and training among the people while mass media and social platforms can also play a big role through disseminating positive messages.
The last words:
Although the children suffering from down syndrome faces special challenges in their lives, their improvements can be ensured through proper care, education and social cooperation. Children like Fahim proved that through patience and right directives, their lives can be meaningful. Our duty will be to stand beside such children as being partners of their development not treating them as a burden.
