Down Syndrome Average IQ – Why Do they Have Low IQ?

Down syndrome is a condition caused by the presence of all or parts of the third copy of chromosome 21. It is a genetic condition which transfers from generation to generation. In this condition, a person may experience serious changes, including unique facial features, developmental delay, and intellectual disability.

The intellectual disability may depend upon a list of the factors in which environment is the major one. People with Down syndrome can function normally in some conditions but they cannot perform complex tasks that require high cognitive capital.

Let’s understand how people with Down syndrome deal with cognitive tasks and explore their average IQ.

Down Syndrome Average IQ

The intelligence quotient is a score we use to measure the efficiency of a person’s cognitive abilities. There is empirical evidence that genes play a role in determining our IQ and if a subject suffers from a major genetic disorder such as Down syndrome, his IQ may decline. Down syndrome people may have an intellectual disability by birth.

According to some reports, the average IQ for Down syndrome children is around 50 ranging from 30 to 70.

Down Syndrome is one of the major intellectual disabilities caused by genetics, but in some cases, people with Down syndrome have recorded 120 IQ scores. The severity of intellectual disability is based on multiple factors.

Why Do Down Syndrome People Have Low IQ?

The majority of people claim that Down syndrome people have low IQ scores, but no one addresses the reasons why these people have low intelligence compared to the average person and why some Down syndrome people have high and others have low IQ scores.

Basically, down syndrome people have brains smaller than the average brain size. Additionally, their brain lacks a number of sulci and gyrus, which can affect their cognitive abilities.

Moreover, people with Down syndrome have different brain chemistry compared to the average brain.

Studies have proven that the brain of Down syndrome lacks serotonin, a chemical that is associated with happiness but also has a role in cognitive functions. However, these changes are not by birth but develop with the passage of time.

If a Down syndrome person is growing up in a healthy environment, his chances of suffering from moderate intellectual disability are less compared to a Down syndrome person living in an unhealthy environment.

Additionally, if parents or guardians of Down syndrome people engage him in activities such as reading, writing, or playing with larger groups of kids, their chances of suffering from moderate intellectual disability are less.