The most common, most easily recognised and probably the most researched single condition causing learning disability - Down's syndrome. Based on extensive interviews and questionnaires focusing on fundamental issues of development and upbringing, Dr Carr has followed the lives of a population-based cohort of Down's syndrome subjects from birth to early adulthood. This volume details particularly the development of study groups between the ages 11 and 21 years with a longitudinal perspective reference to earlier years as appropriate. A wide range of factors are investigated from behaviour, discipline and independence through to effects on the family and the provision of help from services. The collection of this unique data spanning the first 21 years of life enables Dr Carr to offer discussion and advice which will be of international relevance and an invaluable reference for all those concerned with the care, health and well-being of Down's syndrome individuals and their families.

How do I decide I am ill; how do I decide that my children are ill? How do I learn effective ways of conveying to others that I am ill? This book discusses the languages of illness which we use to present our discomforts to others through an exploration of the child's world of illness. It looks at how illness concepts are introduced to children, how the causes of illness and 'germ' rationales are incorporated into the socialisation of children, and how a particular morality about health and illness is expressed. Besides the analysis of the social context within which the children's views are developing, the book presents the children's own views from three years old up to thirteen. How we talk about illness can have as important consequences as the methods we use to cure it. This book persuades the reader to look more closely at the language of illness, allowing a reappraisal to medical practice, school health programmes and class teaching, health education and even the differences in health between the social classes. In this way it forges a link between physical medicine and psychotherapy, providing the developmental perspective of illness behaviour which has long been lacking.