Down syndrome (DS or DNS) 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 typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features, and mild to moderate intellectual disability. The average IQ of a young adult with Down syndrome is 50, equivalent to the mental age of an 8 or 9 year old child, but this varies widely.
Down syndrome can be identified during pregnancy by prenatal screening followed by diagnostic testing, or after birth by direct observation and genetic testing.
The voice of people with Down Syndrome has a distinct nasal sound. This stems from the fact that their vocal cords must put out 100% more energy to pronounce sounds. As a result, people with Down Syndrome usually cannot sing.
Madison Tevlin is a 12 years old girl from Toronto, Canada, with Down Syndrome. She was told by the doctors that she can’t sing. But she proves all of them they are wrong and her cover of John Legend’s “All of Me” has had more than 7 million views from around the world! Watch the video and get inspired by Madison’s beautiful voice!
