Is honest, accurate information about persons with Down's syndrome being provided, so that true choice and autonomy are enhanced?
Life expectancy
55 years for the 98+% of person's with Down's syndrome who do not die in infancy from uncorrectable heart defects (Thase 1982)
Average IQ
60 - 70 (able to make decisions) (Pueschel, Canning and Murphy 1978; Rynders & Horrobin 1990) and IQs for people with Down syndrome have steadily risen throughout the 20th century (Pueschel, Canning and Murphy 1978).
The majority are in the low, mildly intellectually delayed range (Pueschel, Canning and Murphy 1978).
Less than 5% of persons with Down syndrome are severely to profoundly intellectually delayed with early intervention and required education (Connelly, Russell & Morgan 1984).
Reading levels
Kindergarten to 12th grade, with an average of 3rd grade (Rynders, Spiker & Horrobin 1978) - the Sydney Morning Herald is written for a 5th grade reading level.
Employment probability
75 - 90%, with current supported-employment programs (Martin et al 1985).
Independence
The vast majority of adult persons with Down Syndrome are capable of independent or group-home living arrangements (Turnbull & Turnbull 1985).
Impact on families
More likely to be positive than negative (Murphy 1982; Gath 1978).