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Treacher Collins Syndrome Facts & Worksheets

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a rare, genetic disorder that is characterized by abnormalities in how the face develops.

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Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a rare, genetic disorder that is characterized by abnormalities in how the face develops. It causes physical deformities of the ears, eyes, cheekbones, mouth, and chin which in turn can lead to having a cleft palate, and vision, breathing, and hearing loss.

See the fact file below for more information on the Treacher Collins Syndrome or alternatively, you can download our 21-page Treacher Collins Syndrome worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

WHAT IS TREACHER COLLINS?

  • Treacher Collins syndrome was named after English surgeon and ophthalmologist Edward Treacher Collins.
  • It is sometimes known as Franceschetti-Zwahlen-Klein syndrome and Treacher Collins-Franceschetti syndrome.
  • Treacher Collins syndrome is a genetic condition but is not always inherited from parents, meaning the condition is already present when a baby is born.
  • This condition is usually diagnosed using X-ray results and genetic examinations.
  • It can sometimes be detected before birth using ultrasound.
  • It is estimated that Treacher Collins affects 1 in 50,000 people. worldwide.

CAUSE AND SYMPTOMS

  • Treacher Collins syndrome is caused by a change to a gene that directly affects the development of a baby’s facial features before they are born.
  • The signs and symptoms of Treachers Collins syndrome can range from almost unnoticeable to very visible.
  • Most children with this condition have a very small lower jaw and chin. About 25% of babies are born with a cleft palate – a split in the roof of the mouth.
  • Sometimes babies are born with very small airways that can lead to life-threatening breathing problems.
  • Children affected by this condition usually have eyes that are slanted downwards.
  • They have sparse eyelashes.
  • They may also have a notch in their lower eyelids called a coloboma. Their ears are unusually small and sometimes even missing.
  • At least half of the people affected by Treacher Collins syndrome suffer from hearing loss.
  • People with this condition are of normal intelligence.
  • Their lifespan should be the same as that of the general population if their condition is managed properly.

HOW TO TREAT TCS

  • There is no cure for Treacher Collins syndrome.
  • It is manageable through surgeries, therapies, and assistive devices such as hearing aids.
  • Treatment for Treacher Collins syndrome begins at birth and continues as the child grows up. There is no set treatment plan for the condition because the case is different for each child.
  • There are some possible treatments being investigated by researchers that would involve the body to kill off unwanted cells, but more studies need to be done first.
  • When a baby is born with a cleft palate, breast and bottle feeding can be difficult. There are certain feeding techniques that can be helpful during the baby’s early months.
  • A cleft palate can also make speech difficult.
  • The roof of the mouth can be repaired through surgery. This is best performed when the baby reaches 1 year.
  • There are also speech and language programs available for children with this condition.
  • Babies with Treacher Collins syndrome can experience difficulty breathing because their facial bones have not developed properly.
  • Surgeries to move the jaw forward and to fix a blockage inside the nose can be performed to help.
  • A breathing tube may be needed to help with severe breathing problems.
  • Surgeries to give the child a larger jaw can help with difficulties in breathing and eating.
  • Hearing problems of a baby born with this condition can be detected by a doctor within a few days after birth. Over time, doctors will observe and decide whether a hearing aid is needed or not.
  • Children who have a notch in their lower eyelids are at risk of eye infection and need regular eye exams. Through surgery, the gap can be tightened to allow their eyes to close fully.
  • Physical deformities due to this condition can cause problems in family and social relationships as the child grows up. Meetings with a therapist can help with this.

TCS AS PORTRAYED IN THE MEDIA

  • A New York Times article was released in July 1977, making many people aware of the condition for the first time.
  • Treacher Collins syndrome was featured on an episode titled “Blu Mondae” of the show Nip/Tuck.
  • In 2010, BBC Three made a documentary named Love Me, Love My Face featuring Jono Lancaster, a man with this condition.
  • BBC Three made a sequel in 2011 titled So What If My Baby Is Born Like Me? which featured Jono and his wife Laura on their journey to start a family.
  • Wonder is a children’s novel by R.J. Palacio and was published in 2012. The story features a young boy named August who has Treacher Collins syndrome. In 2017, a film adaptation of the book was released and earned positive reviews from both critics and audiences.

Treacher Collins Syndrome Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Treacher Collins Syndrome across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Treacher Collins Syndrome worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) which is a rare, genetic disorder that is characterized by abnormalities in how the face develops. It causes physical deformities of the ears, eyes, cheekbones, mouth, and chin which in turn can lead to having a cleft palate, and vision, breathing, and hearing loss.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Treacher Collins Syndrome Facts
  • Treacher or False?
  • Lovely Sketch
  • Treatment Checklist
  • Physical and Psychological
  • TCS in the Media
  • Genetic Disorders
  • Deformity Diseases
  • More Than a Face
  • Inspiring Short Story
  • My Letter to You

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Treacher Collins syndrome be passed down?

Each child of a parent with the affected gene has a 50% chance of inheriting it. This is random and cannot be changed. If a child does inherit the gene, we cannot predict how severe their facial anomalies will be.

How common is Treacher Collins syndrome in the world?

Edward Treacher Collins syndrome is a condition that affects approximately one in 50,000 people. It was named after Edward Treacher Collins, an English surgeon, and ophthalmologist who first described the condition in 1900.

Can Treacher Collins syndrome be diagnosed before birth?

Treacher-Collins syndrome can be seen on ultrasound before a baby is born and should be included in the different types of genetic syndromes that can be diagnosed after a baby dies. Babies who have this syndrome often look sicker than kids or adults who have it.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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