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 came to be a lesser being instead of a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations of this genetic condition renders every parent anxious when it comes to bringing up a child who has it. But there's no need to despair. Many people with Down syndrome are healthy. Some go to school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some may need medical take care of possible birth defects along with other congenital problems.


According towards 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 as part of his or her cognitive abilities. This is where occupational therapy for Down syndrome also comes in. Occupational therapy practitioners help individuals with Down syndrome become independent by teaching them the best way 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 with it usually have small features. From using a compressed face which has a flat nose along with a small mouth, to almond-shaped eyes that slant up, small ears, short neck, small extremities, short high. 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 also manifestations because they grow, such as congenital heart defects, loss of hearing a single or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, standing, and other motor skills), problems with sleep (like anti snoring), and vision problems. They also become ill easily and may contract infection or diseases faster than those who do not have Down syndrome.

All throughout these impediments, occupational therapy practitioners play a crucial role in the lives of those with Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the average person, these occupational therapists assist the family members understand and appreciate the problem. They also prepare the household psychologically, enabling the parents, specially the mother, to effectively look after the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the mother and father' expectations of the child with Down syndrome, guiding them step by step on how treatments is progressing.

There are also cases where occupational therapy practitioners can also be present inside the classroom. This is to improve the communication skills of the kid through handwriting, drawing, along with other issues that need to be addressed in order for a child to adapt in a very social setting. Adults that have Down syndrome also take advantage of occupational therapy, as they try to be productive in the office, learn skills that enable them to live independently, and become physically active for a healthy lifestyle.

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