Myth: Down syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.  
Fact: Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition. One in every 691 live births is a child with Down syndrome, representing approximately 6,000 births per year in the United States alone. Today, there are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States.

Myth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents.
Fact: Eighty percent of children born with Down syndrome are born to women younger than age 35. However, the incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother.

Myth: Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized.
Fact: Today people with Down syndrome live at home with their families or independently and are active participants in the educational, vocational, social and recreational activities of the community. They are integrated into the regular education system, and take part in sports, camping, music, art programs and all the other activities of their communities.

Myth: Parents will not find community support in raising their child with Down syndrome. 
Fact: In almost every community of the United States there are parent support groups and community organizations directly involved in providing services to families of individuals with Down syndrome.

Myth: Children with Down syndrome are placed in segregated special education programs.
Fact: Children with Down syndrome have been included in regular academic classrooms in schools across the country. In some instances they are integrated into specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the regular classroom for all subjects.

Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable.
Fact: Businesses are seeking young adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions.They are being employed in various business settings and industries: by banks, corporations, nursing homes, hotels, restaurants, and in the music and entertainment industry. People with Down syndrome bring to their jobs enthusiasm, reliability and dedication.

Myth: People with Down syndrome are always happy.
Fact: People with Down syndrome have a vast array of feelings just like everyone else. They respond to positive expressions of friendship and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior.

Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form close relationships leading to marriage.
Fact: People with Down syndrome date, socialize and form ongoing relationships; some even marry.