What is it like for siblings if their brother or sister has Down’s Syndrome?

Growing up with a brother or sister with Down’s syndrome can be lots of fun, but sometimes siblings might find it difficult. All brothers and sisters feel like this about each other sometimes.

A brother or sister who has Down’s syndrome will probably like the same sort of things that their siblings do, play the same games and like the same toys. Sometimes a sibling with Down’s syndrome might need extra help from their parents and other adults to join in and to play with games and toys and help them with other things through the day. This may sometimes make siblings feel left out, but most siblings really enjoy helping their brother or sister with Down’s syndrome too. Evidence tells us that most families of someone with Down’s syndrome are happy with their lives.

What causes Down’s Syndrome?

Down’s syndrome is a lifelong genetic condition that some babies are born with.

Inside our bodies are trillions of cells, and inside each cell are even smaller things called chromosomes which contain information that make each of us unique, such as our eye colour, hair colour and height.

Most people have 46 chromosomes in every cell in their body, 23 from their mum and 23 from their dad. Babies born with Down’s Syndrome have an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21 – one extra chromosome that randomly happens. This means that they have 47 chromosomes instead of 46. It is this extra chromosome 21 that causes Down’s syndrome.

What does it mean?

Babies born with Down’s Syndrome will always have it as they grow up. It is not an illness or a disease, it is just a very small part of who they are.

The majority of people who have Down’s syndrome will have a learning disability. A learning disability affects how someone learns; it doesn’t mean they can’t learn. People who have Down’s syndrome go to nursery, school, and college; have jobs, have friends and relationships, and can live on their own.

Children with Down’s syndrome will grow and develop the same way as all children and have the same range of feelings and emotions as we all do. Most importantly, everyone who has Down’s syndrome is a unique individual, full of potential with hopes and dreams just like you.

People who have Down’s syndrome are not all the same; every person who has the condition is as individual as everyone else in the world. They have more in common with their families than with another person who has Down’s Syndrome.

What treatment is there?

Generally, individuals who have Down’s syndrome will need some support throughout their lives, but this will be different for everyone.

Children born with Down’s syndrome have the same health conditions as all children. They may have a few more coughs and colds or reduced hearing or vision.  They may need more appointments when they are younger to make sure any health issues are picked up early.

People who have Down’s syndrome can lead long and healthy lives and many people are now living into their 60s, 70’s and older.

This information has been read and approved by the Downs Syndrome Association, May 2025