History of Down Syndrome

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is committed to improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, advocacy and education. An important part of that entails educating the general public about the history of Down syndrome – both from a medical standpoint and a human-rights perspective. To this end, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation has created two timelines to illuminate the medical and civil rights progress made surrounding people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. These timelines are available in simple text or an interactive format. Click below to learn more about the history of Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome Medical Care and Research Timeline

Interactive

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Down Syndrome Human and Civil Rights Timeline

Interactive

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• Facts and FAQ About Down Syndrome
  • Facts about the connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease
• History of Down Syndrome
  • Down Syndrome Human and Civil Rights Timeline
  • Down Syndrome Research and Medical Care Timeline
• The Story of Two Syndromes
• Words Can Hurt
• Down Syndrome Misconceptions vs. Reality
• Prenatal Testing Pamphlet
• Resources
  • Local Down Syndrome Organizations in the United States
  • Organizations by State
  • Local Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Alabama – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Alaska – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Arizona – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Arkansas – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • California – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Colorado – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Connecticut – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Delaware – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Florida – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Georgia – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Hawaii – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Idaho – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Illinois – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Indiana – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Iowa – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Kansas – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Kentucky – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Louisiana – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Maine – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Maryland – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Massachusetts – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Michigan – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Minnesota – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Mississippi – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Missouri – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Montana – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Nebraska – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Nevada – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • New Hampshire – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • New Jersey – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • New Mexico – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • New York – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • North Carolina – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • North Dakota – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Ohio – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Oklahoma – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Oregon – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Pennsylvania – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Puerto Rico – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Rhode Island – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • South Carolina – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • South Dakota – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Tennessee – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Texas – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Utah – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Vermont – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Virginia – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Washington – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • West Virginia – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Wisconsin – Down Syndrome Organizations
    • Wyoming – Down Syndrome Organizations
  • Other Organizations Helping People with Down Syndrome
  • National Down Syndrome Organizations in the U.S.
  • International Down Syndrome Organizations & Clinics