More is better, right? Well… not necessarily. In the field of genetics, having more will usually result in mental retardation, one of which is Down syndrome. In the case of having an extra copy of a chromosome (trisomy), the individual will typically develop Down syndrome and, depending on what specific chromosome is present in trisomy, different symptoms of Down syndrome are present, that is if the infant survives the trisomy during pregnancy. For many with Down syndrome, people who have a trisomy of chromosome 21, it is hard to relay what that experience is like due to the inability to communicate with others (true in cases with extreme developmental delays). In the case of Dorothy Doe, delayed development has left this nine-year old girl …show more content…
Individuals with this condition have three copies of the 21st chromosome rather than the normal two copies (Citation1). Although she appeared to be as healthy as any other child, there were small features that still made Dorothy different from most normal children her age. The only cue others could note, without knowing her genetic makeup is a smaller than normal cranium, which is a direct result of a portion of white brain matter never developing during pregnancy. Nevertheless, interacting with Dorothy was no different from any other child; she would still have the same responses to peek-a-boo, confusion and wonder followed by surprise and happiness when her siblings would reveal themselves. Dorothy also had all basic sense essential for survival. Her sense of touch was evident from her chewing on toys, her vision from following the colorful lights of her toys, and her hearing from everyone calling her name (Citation2). Her motor skills were slightly lagging but as time progressed her diagnosis of trisomy 21 and Down syndrome became more …show more content…
In the case of Dorothy, the first visual cue of developmental delays is a significantly smaller cranium; furthermore, mental development of nine-year-old Dorothy appears to have halted for several years at a late infant transitioning into a toddler stage. Another major symptom associated with this trisomy is seizures. These seizures occur frequently especially when the individual is feeling relatively tired and in Dorothy’s case she is not allowed to enjoy say a toy or a playing with other kids because shortly after a seizure will follow. With daily medication, the seizures are controllable; however, both of these symptoms require the aid of another