DOWN'S SYNDROME WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE

6TH WORLD CONGRESS.ON DOWN'S SYNDROME

Palacio de Congresos. Madrid, 23rd-26th October 1997

CONCLUSIONS OF THE 6TH WORLD CONGLESS

ON DOWN'S SYNDROME

The aim of the 6th CONGRESS was to give an answer to the challenges facing persons

with Down's syndrome as the 21st century approaches, formulating the following

proposals and conclusions :

1. The promotion of genetic investigation in order to probe deeper into knowledge

of chromosome 21's identity (especially finding out what each gene lodged inside it is

responsible for and how they interact), as well as to probe into knowledge of

mechanisms intervening in the non-disjunction to prevent the appearance of the

syndrome.

2. The study of the specificity in Down's syndrome, trying to isolate typical

characteristics of Down's syndrome so that it is possible from specialization to design

more efficient instruments of a medical and psychopaedological nature for the

rehabilitation and education of persons with Down's syndrome.

3. The search for practical solutions (strategies, programs, methods, etc...)

which, taking into account findings of recent scientific research, provide concrete

solutions applicable to the health care, early attention, education, social and labor

integration of persons with Down's syndrome.

4. To specify, the quality of life model proposed for persons with Down's syndrome

in three aspects: a) that their needs and expectations are met, b) that they develop all

their potentialities and c) that they enjoy all their right.

5. In the area of health: an endeavor must be made to spread and establish

preventive medical programs for Down's syndrome everywhere in the world and also

to maintain a critical attitude towards therapies not confirmed scientifically. By

applying the principle "the same cases require the same treatment", organ transplants

for persons with Down's syndrome who require them should be encouraged.

6. Becoming aware of the important role of the family of the family as the Down's syndrome

person's first natural nucleus of integration will encourage actions to be taken that are

addressed towards effective training and the involvement of parents in the attention,

education and social insertion of their children.

7. Specialized attention must preferentially reach those persons with Down's

syndrome who have other additional serious limitations or needs which prevent their

effective integration. Attention could be given to them in specialized centers, with the

support of the family, attaining the level of normalization that is possible in each case.

8. In the field of education the Congress decisively supported three criteria: a)

inclusion, with the Proper Supports, in an ordinary school, b) specific programs and

curriculum adaptations and c) the application of new technologies in the classroom as a

particularly useful strategy.

9. The Congress called attention to the importance that the adult life of persons with

Down's syndrome has at the present time, including self advocacy, in such a way that

the services provided are adapted to their rights, needs and demands, guaranteeing a

positive quality of life.

10. All die means at our disposal must be used to encourage effective integration of

persons with Down's syndrome in school, work, culture and social life, with die

understanding that non-discrimination means equal opportunities. Likewise, the change

towards a better social image and participation of persons with Down's syndrome in

public life must be pursued.

11. Training and employment of Down's syndrome persons in ordinary firms must be

12. Encouragement must be given to the worldwide creation of specific association

for Down's syndrome, independent from the associations which attend to persons with

mental retardation in general. These associations should claim representation and

financial support from governmental department.

13. The Down's syndrome associations must ensure that parents, professionals and

14. The services - to create them whenever necessary - have to respond to criteria of

quality, efficiency and social economy and insofar as possible they have to be rendered

and integrated in the normal services of the community.

15. The training of specialists in University and in post-graduate courses is

fundamental if persons with Down's syndrome are to receive global and specialized

attention in accordance with their needs.

Mr. S. AL MALAQ (Saudi Arabia), Prof. F. ASTUDILO (Spain), Prof. M. BEEGHLY (USA), Prof.

R.I. BROWN (Australia), Prof. S. BUCKLEY (UK), Prof. C. EPSTEIN (USA), Prof. A. FORTUNY

(Spain), Prof. C. GARCIA-PASTOR (Spain), Prof. M.J. GURALNICK (USA), Prof. R. HODAPP

(USA), Mrs. M. MADNICK (USA), Mrs. Ma M.N. MENDONCA (Brazil), Mrs. J. MILLS (Canada),

Prof. E. MOMOTANI (Japan), Prof. E. MONTOBBIO (Italy), Prof. L. NADEL (USA), Prof. R.R.

OLBRISCH (Germany), Prof. J. PERERA (Spain), Prof. S. PUESCHEL (USA), Prof. A. RASORE-

QUARTINO (Italy), Mrs. P. ROBERTSON (Indonesia), Prof. J. A. RONDAL (Belgium), Prof. J.

RYNDERS (USA), Prof. B. SACKS (UK), Mrs. M. SCHOEMAN (South Africa), Prof. W.

SILVERMAN (USA), Prof. P.M. SINET (France), Mrs. R. SNEH (Israel), Prof. D.C. VAN DYKE

(USA), Prof. J.E. WANN (Sweden), Prof. H.A. WISNIEWSKI (USA), Prof. K. WISNIEWSKI

(USA).