It is widely known that people with Down syndrome have some degree of intellectual disability. But few people also know that every person with DS also has some degree of hypotonia, or reduced muscle tone. What is it? How does it affect the ordinary things we do every day? Find out for yourself in our test! THE CINDERELLA TEST Task: Put lentils and peas in a bowl and mix them thoroughly. Put on your gloves and start picking them out! Explanation: Fine motor skills are difficult for them. THE WARM WATER TEST Task: Two cups and pour hot water into them. Put a rubber glove on one hand and not on the other. Ready your index fingers and dip them into the cups at the same time. Explanation: This can be simulated with a rubber glove. It is typical for a child with DS to hold his hand over a candle and flick it when he is really burned. We guarantee that you will get the finger without the glove out of the container much sooner than the finger with the glove! Tip: You can try putting on two or even three rubber gloves - this will simulate more hypotony. Your finger might last a long time in hot water! PILLOWS TEST Task: Take two pillows and wrap them around your foot. Try to walk! Explanation: A person with hypotonia has to exert more energy to do the same thing - for example, when walking, at the start the body holds together much like the foot holds the pillows. Tip: You can vary the size of the pillow, or try putting two pillows on your leg. BISCUITS TEST Task: Take three biscuits and put them in your mouth. Try to say a tongue-twister with precise pronunciation! Explanation: Biscuits make the space in the mouth smaller. Tip: You can change the amount of biscuits in your mouth as much as you like. DENTAL TEST ONLY FOR THE HARD OF HEARING!Task: Go to the dentist and get a numbing injection. With your mouth treated in this way, start practicing your tongue twisters! Explanation: This can be similar to the way a numbing injection at the dentist slowly starts to work. SWEET SLEEP TEST Task: Prepare a pillow and lie down in this position. Fall asleep! Good night and sweet dreams! Explanation: Hypotonia makes people with Down syndrome hypermobile. This position does not cause any problems for most of them and some can even sleep in it.