Characteristics

So I've been thinking about doing this post for some time. I know a lot of people who comment on my blog are walking the same walk as mine....fellow Ds bloggers. But I'm sure I have some readers that don't have a child with Down syndrome and don't always comment. I thought I would share a little bit of information concerning the characteristics of Down syndrome. When we were informed that Mattie may have ds, that is the first thing I tried doing...comparing my child's characteristics with children that had ds. Not all children that have ds have the same characteristics. Some may have more than others and some may have less. It is also important to note that the number of characteristics do not determine how severe the delays may be in that child. Most children with ds will have mild to moderate delays. Our children simply learn at a slower rate.

One of the most obvious features in my opinion are the eyes. Mattie's beautiful eyes slant upward and have an almond shape. She also has the epicanthal folds at the inner part of her eyes. If you look closely, you will see she has Brushfield spots. These are white specks around the outer rim of her iris. They will not affect her vision and are more common in blue or light colored eyes. She has heavenly stars in her eyes!


Another characteristic is a flat bridge in the nose. This makes the perfect place to give a kiss!


Mattie has the "sandal toe" gap between her first and second toe. She has the best flip flop feet! I have also read that ds children have wider feet. Mattie never had a chance in our family anyway. We all have wide feet.


Many children with ds have a single line across the palm and a pinkie that turns in slightly. Mattie does not have either of these characteristics. She does have shorter fingers than my two older daughters had at her age. Her arm and leg length are also shorter. She is going to be our little pip squeak!


The doctor noticed that Mattie had an extra fold of skin at the back of her neck when she was born. Also known as a fat pad. This does not stay as they will grow out of it. I think Mattie's was gone before she was even a month old.
So these are just a few of the characteristics that you may find in a child with Down syndrome. God created Mattie with all these beautiful features and we wouldn't want her any other way. She is absolutely perfect!