What It’s Like to Have Down Syndrome as an Adult

Adults who have Down syndrome were “not really given a chance.” Before the 1980s, an overwhelming majority were institutionalized in the United States. The article also cites the “old thought” that a person with Down syndrome won’t be able to get a job or live independently. Many adults now work, attend school, and live at home, directly countering those low expectations.

Housing and daily life align with access and available options. Some adults take public transit or drive; others access staffed settings or coaching. Many organizations assist with appropriate living arrangements, from highly staffed homes supervised 24 hours per day to supportive living with 15 to 20 hours per week. Clinicians note that some adults live on their own, while many live with family or in supported group settings.

Across adulthood, service availability can drop. The article reports that therapies “are not typically available for adults,” and that coverage often opens only after a separate medical event. In this context, life-skills training and coaching (for example, cooking and cleaning) are highlighted as practical examples, and the piece stresses keeping up with routine medical care because adults who have Down syndrome face higher risks, including gastrointestinal problems, sleep apnea, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, leukemia, and other health issues.

Education and employment are part of adult life: after high school, people with Down syndrome can go to college and hold jobs. The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) outlines community-based competitive and supported employment and notes criticism of sheltered employment for segregation. For Community Builders, the overarching task is to foster inclusive environments where participation is expected and access is routine for adults who have Down syndrome.

Read the Full Article: What It’s Like to Have Down Syndrome as an Adult.
By: Moira Lawler; Medically Reviewed by Allison Buttarazzi, Doctor of Medicine (MD)