Down Syndrome And The Role of Occupational Therapy

Wiki Article

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


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

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

There is also manifestations since they grow, such as congenital heart defects, loss in hearing in one or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, upright, as well as other motor skills), problems with sleep (like sleep apnea), and vision problems. They also withdraw easily and may 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 with Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the individual, these occupational therapists help the family members understand and appreciate the specific situation. They also prepare family members psychologically, enabling the fogeys, especially the mother, to effectively maintain the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the fogeys' expectations of a child with Down syndrome, guiding them in depth on how treatments is progressing.

There may also be cases where occupational therapy practitioners may also be present inside the classroom. This is to improve the communication skills of the little one through handwriting, drawing, as well as other issues that should be addressed in order for the child to adapt inside a social setting. Adults that have Down syndrome also reap the benefits of occupational therapy, since they try to be productive at the job, learn skills that enable them to live independently, and turn into physically active for the healthy lifestyle.

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