Down Syndrome And The Role of Occupational Therapy

Wiki Article

When parents learn that their newborn has Down syndrome, they can not help but feel devastated. To them, it could seem that their infant was created a lesser being as opposed to a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations with this genetic condition renders each parent anxious in relation to bringing up a youngster who has it. But there's no requirement to despair. Many people with Down syndrome are healthy. Some go to school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some may need medical care for possible birth defects and other congenital problems.


According to the National Down Syndrome Society, one in 733 babies born in the United States, or about 400,000 Americans, has Down syndrome. This genetic disorder has an effect on the growth and development of the child causing delays in his or her cognitive abilities. This is where occupational therapy for Down syndrome comes in. Occupational therapy practitioners help people with Down syndrome become independent by teaching them how to care for oneself like dressing up or eating, refining their coordination skills, and other activities that will make them live a normal life.

What are the physical manifestations of Down syndrome? Babies born by it usually have small features. From developing a compressed face which has a flat nose plus a small mouth, to almond-shaped eyes that slant up, small ears, short neck, small feet and hands, short tall. They also have low tone of muscle that they look limp and they've poor head control. They look so delicate and frail.

There are other manifestations as they grow, such as congenital heart defects, decrease of hearing a single or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, taking a stand, as well as other motor skills), insomnia issues (like anti snoring), and vision problems. They also get sick easily and can contract infection or diseases faster than these who do not have Down syndrome.

All throughout these impediments, occupational therapy practitioners play a crucial role in the lives of people who have Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the average person, these occupational therapists assist the family members understand and appreciate the situation. They also prepare the family psychologically, enabling the fogeys, specially the mother, to effectively take care of the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the mother and father' expectations of the child with Down syndrome, guiding them in depth on how the procedure is progressing.

There will also be cases where occupational therapy practitioners are also present inside classroom. This is to improve the communication skills of the kid through handwriting, drawing, and other issues that should be addressed in order for the little one to adapt inside a social setting. Adults who have Down syndrome also make use of occupational therapy, while they try to be productive at the office, learn skills that allow them to live independently, and turn into physically active for any healthy lifestyle.

Parents should put importance to the well-being of the consumer from its infancy to adulthood. The need for professional occupational treatment therapy is readily available and accessible. Read more about Down syndrome, ask relatives and friends how they cope, and most of all, consult a in-home physical therapy West Palm Beach. Some have misdiagnosed Down syndrome with autism but we will need to be sure we have the right diagnosis.