Down Syndrome And The Role of Occupational Therapy

Wiki Article

When parents learn that their newborn has Down syndrome, they cannot help but feel devastated. To them, it might seem that their infant was born a lesser being rather than a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations of the genetic condition renders all parents anxious in terms of bringing up a kid who has it. But there's you should not despair. Many people who have Down syndrome are healthy. Some check out school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some might require medical maintain possible birth defects and also other congenital problems.


According on the National Down Syndrome Society, one inch 733 babies born inside United States, or about 400,000 Americans, has Down syndrome. This genetic disorder applies to the growth and continuing development of the child causing delays in their or her cognitive abilities. This is where occupational therapy for Down syndrome also comes in. Occupational therapy practitioners help those with Down syndrome become independent by teaching them the best way to care for oneself like being fashionable or eating, refining their coordination skills, and also other activities that will make them live an average life.

What include the physical manifestations of Down syndrome? Babies born from it usually have small features. From creating a compressed face using 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 muscle tone that they look limp and they have poor head control. They look so delicate and frail.

There are other manifestations since they grow, like congenital heart defects, decrease of hearing in a or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, taking a stand, along with other motor skills), sleep problems (like sleep apnea), and vision problems. They also get sick easily which enable it to contract infection or diseases faster than these who do not have Down syndrome.

All throughout these impediments, occupational therapy practitioners play an important role in the lives of people who have Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the person, these occupational therapists help the family members understand and appreciate the situation. They also prepare family members psychologically, enabling the oldsters, particularly the mother, to effectively take care of the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the parents' expectations of a child with Down syndrome, guiding them step by step on how the treatment 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 stay 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 quite a few 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.