Down’s syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21 in the body’s cells, it is not a disease. In the majority of cases, Down’s syndrome is not an inherited condition. Down’s syndrome usually occurs because of a chance happening at the time of conception.

People with Down’s syndrome are not all the same. People with Down’s syndrome have more in common with their families than with each other. Just like the rest of the population, they will inherit family characteristics. Everyone with Down’s syndrome will have some degree of learning disability. The learning disability affects a child’s ability to learn compared with other children of their age, it does not mean they cannot learn. But the most important thing to remember is that everyone with Down’s syndrome is a unique individual.