What do you think of this 'Down's Syndrome doll'?

[Robinrs]

I agree that it depends on how the child likes it.

I love collectible dolls and there are some very realistic Downs babies out there that are the pride and joy of the children they go to. Here is one example,

oM!! I thought that was a live baby at first! Beautiful.

My son's first best friend and his aunt have the Syndrome. I don't think the OP's doll was the best, the second is adorable.

 

[ilisao]

Nope. Absolutely not.

I have been involved with national and local Down syndrome chapters (board member) for over 20 years and I can guarantee you, in this country, the name is

Down syndrome.
As for the doll - let's just say there are much better options available such as the baby doll a pp pictured.

I do have to also say that I have to question the OP's particular doll being popular. Not from what I have seen in the Down syndrome community. As mentioned, there are much better options for parents with children with Ds. No parent wants their kid to feel like a stereotype. The kids are much more than just protruding tongues.

First doll - no.

Second doll - adorable!

Edited to add:
Just checked the properties of the OP's pic and this seems to be a UK doll. I should add that the doll is not at all popular here in the states.

And that is what she said. In the US it is Down Syndrome. In the UK it's Down's Syndrome.

 

[TrixieBel]

And that is what she said. In the US it is Down Syndrome. In the UK it's Down's Syndrome.

"You say tomato and I say tomatoe"

Doesn't really matter how you spell it or say it... It's all the same

 

[Robinrs]

And that is what she said. In the US it is Down Syndrome. In the UK it's Down's Syndrome.

UK site:
http://www.dsa-uk.com/

USA site:
http://www1.ndss.org/

This is the first time I've heard this debate. Interesting.

 

[hentob]

"You say tomato and I say tomatoe"

Doesn't really matter how you spell it or say it... It's all the same

It sure is

It is just a wee bit annoying to see someone not read what others are saying, just so they can whip out their credentials in order to prove how superior they are to a subject

 

[Dr.Snark]

...

 

[Sugarfoot]

A smiling face would make the doll much nicer. I like the idea of it though.

 

[Todd&Copper]

Regarding the doll, I voted "not sure". Last time I was in a Toys R Us, I saw an awful lot of baby dolls, and some of them were pretty damn ugly and creepy looking (I am talking about the "regular" baby dolls as opposed to any "specialty" ones), so I guess on the one hand, I can see how having A DS doll is better than having NONE, and I have seen lots of other baby dolls in similarly ridiculous get-ups with equally wacky hair. But I also agree that this particular doll is kind of ugly, and I know as a kid I didn't want ugly dolls (and the ones I had were always villians and BAD babies that got punished by being placed in weird places like under the sink or in the BBQ grill). If this doll was cheap enough, I can see parents of DS kids getting it for them as a sort of crappy "every day" doll that can get dragged around and maybe lost/misplaced without too much bother, but I think a kid with DS would really want a nicer looking doll, one with a smile or at least no stick-tongue action going on. And maybe one with changable clothes.

 

[hentob]

Believe it or not, it is a very sensitive issue with many, many parents.

I believe it

You did go back and edit--But you did not edit your "Nope. Absolutely not" spiel (which was in reply to someone that took the time to explain to you about how the Brits still say "Down's").

I also checked the person I was responding to's location before I responded to her - Froglady was from Florida, not the UK.

Yes. She is from Florida. And she was telling you that the Brits call it Down's syndrome. Which you replied "Nope. Absolutely not."


I am glad that the DIS could even educate a 20 year vet!

Love these boards

ETA--The first doll is awful.

 

[goofy!]

Mom of a 20 year old DD with Downs.

I find the doll offensive. I would also be disappointed if somebody gave that doll to my daughter when she was a child, thinking that the dull expression, the protruding tongue, the weird hair was what my child was all about.

The second doll I think absolutely adorable.

My daughter is a bright young lady who has accomplished more in her life than I ever had at 20.

As a child, she loved her baby dolls. She loved dressing them, playing with them and cuddling them. Just like any other little girl. She didn't care if they looked like her (and that one does not even vaguely look like most kids with Down syndrome I know.)

She has a My Twinn doll that even with the smile, resembles her much more closely than the OP's doll.

Here is yet another option, the Downi Doll, created just like the My Twinn for your child:

 

[Dr.Snark]

I believe it

You did go back and edit--But you did not edit your "Nope. Absolutely not" spiel (which was in reply to someone that took the time to explain to you about how the Brits still say "Down's").



Yes. She is from Florida. And she was telling you that the Brits call it Down's syndrome. Which you replied "Nope. Absolutely not."


I am glad that the DIS could even educate a 20 year vet!

Love these boards

ETA--The first doll is awful.

It has been edited and apologies offered. I did misread the post. I read "named after a doctor in the UK" with my brain ignoring the paren.

Yes, I know it is different in the UK.

Again my apologies.

Thanks for the "education".

Now back to the doll discussion.

 

[hentob]

Mom of a 20 year old DD with Downs.

I find the doll offensive. I would also be disappointed if somebody gave that doll to my daughter when she was a child, thinking that the dull expression, the protruding tongue, the weird hair was what my child was all about.

Pssst. The outfit What about the outfit

Only a child with Down syndrome would wear such an outfit

 

[Jenvenza]

My DD's "boyfriend" has Down syndrome. (She is 11 months and he is 1)

I dont think the doll represents children with Down syndrome very well at all. While the doll is cute, the tongue sticking out is a bit much. The adorable little boy I know, normally has a smile on his face. I think that would have been a better idea for the doll.

 

[Jenvenza]

Pssst. The outfit What about the outfit

Only a child with Down syndrome would wear such an outfit

 

[stitchlilo]

I am all for a DS doll but this one is just hideous.

 

[goofy!]

Pssst. The outfit What about the outfit

Only a child with Down syndrome would wear such an outfit

Oh yes. I only dressed my daughter in hideous outfits with large bib-like collars. Helped with all the drooling while the tounge is hanging out. (NOT)

 

[hentob]

Oh yes. I only dressed my daughter in hideous outfits with large bib-like collars. Helped with all the drooling while the tounge is hanging out. (NOT)

Most children with Down syndrome are reminded (over and over again ) from a VERY early age "tongue in". By the time they reach pre-school age, the tongue isn't an issue.

I often feel sorry for older adults with Down syndrome They never had the opportunities that children do today. They were never taught to their full ability. Nowadays, a child with DS has ENDLESS opportunities

 

[lillygator]

I don't like it.

 

[mushumadness]

I hate it, my niece has downs and looks nothing like that, what a horrible doll

 

[alldiz]

I like the idea of someone who is "different" to have a doll that looks more like them than the "commercial" dolls.

I think they could have made her smile.....but maybe the person who made the doll....had a child who looked like that
Kerri