What is everyday life like? What is the quality of life?

The quality of life for a DS kid greatly depends on the home a DS child is raised in. If the parents have tried resources like speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, the child’s “quality of life” is likely to be better than a child simply neglected. Typically, in America, a child with DS is more likely to be comfortable and happy because American families have more access to programs and therapy, and are more likely to keep a special-needs kid. In other countries, a child may be more frequently given up for adoption, or be sent through government-funded programs which in most countries, don't take very good care of the child. Because most DS kids have slight to severe mental retardation, most have a "helper" or nurse to help them get through the day.