Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

4K Shares
4K Shares
October

Down Syndrome Awareness Month – October 2024

Down syndrome occurs across the human spectrum and is the most common chromosomal condition. Each year, about 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome — a 1 in 700 chance. The prevalence of Down syndrome increases with the mother’s age. It is associated with delays in physical growth, characteristic facial features and intellectual disability. In fact, the average IQ of an adult with Down syndrome is equivalent to that of an 8-year-old.

These are just facts, and like all facts, they can fail to provide a full picture. The truth is that children born with Down syndrome can absolutely go on to live happy and long lives. And with Down Syndrome Awareness Month every October, we can be inspired to learn more about this topic and to celebrate people born with Down syndrome and the medical advancements that increasingly improve their quality of life.

Down Syndrome Awareness Month timeline

1975
Down syndrome loses the apostrophe 's'

The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends replacing the possessive form "Down's syndrome" with "Down syndrome."

The 1950s
Lejeune pinpoints extra chromosome

French pediatrician and geneticist Jerome Lejeune works toward his discovery ultimately proving that Down syndrome results from an extra chromosome.

1862
Down classifies disease names for him

English physician John Langdon Down classifies the genetic disorder now known as Down syndrome.

How to Observe Down Syndrome Awareness Month

  1. Join a Buddy Walk

    According to the National Down Syndrome Society, the Buddy Walk "has grown to be the world’s largest and most recognizable Down syndrome awareness program with over 250 walks taking place in 50 states and select international countries."

  2. Volunteer

    There are plenty of things you can do during Down Syndrome Awareness Month, but volunteering with one of the many Down syndrome advocacy groups is one of the best and most effective.

  3. Spread the word

    The Down Syndrome Information Alliance suggests celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month by carrying out 31 random acts of kindness — one for each day in October.

5 Interesting Facts About Down Syndrome

  1. Society has changed for the better

    In ancient times, infants with Down syndrome were often killed or abandoned. And even in modern times, many people with Down syndrome were institutionalized.

  2. Pregnancy testing can pinpoint Down syndrome

    According to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, "Down syndrome has nothing to do with race, nationality, socioeconomic status, religion, or anything the mother or father did during pregnancy." Mothers can learn through diagnostics tests during pregnancy whether or not their baby has Down syndrome.

  3. There are three types

    Of the three types of Down syndrome — trisomy 21 (nondisjunction) is most prevalent. Translocation and mosaicism account for about 5 percent of cases combined.

  4. People with Down can live full, rich lives

    An emphasis on education, a loving and stimulating home environment, and quality health care enable people with Down syndrome to have full and productive lives.

  5. Life expectancy is increasing

    As reported by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, "As recently as 1983, the average lifespan of a person with Down syndrome was 25 years. The dramatic increase is largely due to the end of the inhumane practice of institutionalizing people with Down syndrome."

Why Down Syndrome Awareness Month is Important

  1. It spreads awareness

    Down Syndrome Awareness Month teaches people about this topic. As UpWithDowns.org reminds us, we should "celebrate people with Down syndrome and make people aware of (their) abilities and accomplishments."

  2. It's inspirational

    Down Syndrome Awareness Month helps us celebrate abilities, rather than disabilities, as various Down Syndrome Associations in the United States teach.

  3. It's encouraging

    Down Syndrome Awareness Month can definitely help foster inclusion, understanding, and more opportunities for people with Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome Awareness Month dates

YearDateDay
2024October 1Tuesday
2025October 1Wednesday
2026October 1Thursday
2027October 1Friday
2028October 1Sunday
Elderly Filipino Week
Fungal Disease Awareness Week
National Walk Your Dog Week
Ancestors' Day
Balloons Around the World Day
Balloons Around the World Day
CD Player Day
CD Player Day
China National Day
Cyprus Independence Day
Filipino American Month
Filipino American History Month
International Coffee Day
​International Day of Older Persons
International Music Day
International Music Day
Investiture Ceremony of the Captains Regent
Model T Day
Model T Day
National Black Dog Day
National Day of China
National Fire Pup Day
National Fruit at Work Day
National Hair Day
National Homemade Cookie Day
National Lace Day
National Poetry Day
National Raccoon Day
Nigeria Independence Day
Pchum Ben
ROK Alliance Day
Teacher's Day in Uzbekistan
Tuvalu Independence Day
World Sake Day
World Vegetarian Day
ADHD Awareness Month
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
AIDS Awareness Month
American Pharmacists Month
American Pharmacists Month
Bat Appreciation Month
Bat Appreciation Month
Black Speculative Fiction Month
Blindness Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month
Celebrate The Bilingual Child Month
Celebrate The Bilingual Child Month
Church-Library
Church Library Month
Contact Lens Safety Month
Country Music Month
Critical Illness Awareness Month
Dental Hygiene Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Eat Better, Eat Together Month
Emotional Wellness Month
Eye Injury Prevention Month
Fair Trade Month
Family History Month
Financial Planning Month
Financial Planning Month
German-American Heritage Month
​Global Diversity Awareness Month
Go-Sober-For-October
Go Sober For October — October
Halloween-Safety-Month
Halloween Safety Month
Head Start Awareness Month
Health Literacy Month
Healthy Lung Month
Hog Out Month
International School Libraries Month
International Walk To School Month
International Walk To School Month
Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month
Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month
​Italian-American Heritage Month
LGBTQ+ History Month
LGBTQ+ History Month
Liver Awareness Month
Long Term Care Planning Month
Menopause Month
Museums and Galleries Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Apple Month
National Apple Month
National Arts & Humanities Month
National Audiology Awareness Month
National Book Month
​National Bullying Prevention Month
National Caramel Month
National Chili Month
National Chiropractic Month
National Church Safety and Security Month
National Cookbook Month
National Cookie Month
National Cookie Month
National-Crime-Prevention-Month
National Crime Prevention Month
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October
National Depression Education and Awareness Month
National Dessert Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
​National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Ergonomics Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
National Learning and Development Month
National LGBT History Month
National Medical Librarians Month
National Medical Librarians Month
National Non-GMO Month
National Orthodontic Health Month
National Pasta Month
National Pescatarian Month
National Pet Wellness Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
National Pizza Month
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
National Pretzel Month
National Protect Your Hearing Month
National Sausage Month
National Work and Family Month
Physical Therapy Month
Pitbull Awareness Month
Polish American Heritage Month
Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Recognition Month
Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
Spina Bifida Awareness Month
SQUIRREL AWARENESS MONTH
The Big Draw
Ultrasound Awareness Month
Unblocktober
Vegetarian Month
World Animal Month
World Habitat Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.