Allow one to tiptoe up to a question, with all due respect…
I have impression that children I have seem who are (apparently) affected by Downs Syndrome are very cheerful, as a rule. Is this so? If so, anyone know why? An abnormal quotient of endorphins?
A lot of Down’s Syndrome kids attended special ed at my high school; I didn’t notice them any more or less cheerful than average. They do not have much emotional restraint though, so their feelings tend to get exaggerated. If they’re happy, they’re really happy, if they’re sad, they’re really sad.
Not in my experience. I worked with developmentally disabled adults and children for 5 years. The folks I worked with were just as varied as you’d find in the non-DD world.
elucidator, I don’t have a factual answer here but I share your observations. One of my techs at work is the mother of a 26 year old Downs syndrome child. She volunteers at the hospital doing menial tasks and is always happy. At parties, she’s the center of attention. She seems to bring joy where ever she goes. My friend says she is the luckiest mom in the world because she can perpetually enjoy having a six year old child in the house. Of course this is dependent on the level of disability of the child, but at least for the more functional subset, I think you’re on to something.