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 may seem that their infant was given birth to a lesser being rather than a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations of this genetic condition renders every parent anxious when it comes to bringing up a young child who has it. But there's you don't need to despair. Many individuals with Down syndrome are healthy. Some visit school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some might need medical look after possible birth defects as well as other congenital problems.


According for the National Down Syndrome Society, one out of 733 babies born inside the United States, or about 400,000 Americans, has Down syndrome. This genetic disorder strikes the growth and progression of the child causing delays as part of his or her cognitive abilities. This is where occupational therapy for Down syndrome will come 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, as well as other activities that will make them live a standard life.

What will be the physical manifestations of Down syndrome? Babies born by using it usually have small features. From using a compressed face having a flat nose along with 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 muscle tone that they look limp with poor head control. They look so delicate and frail.

There is also another manifestations while they grow, including congenital heart defects, loss in hearing in a single or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, standing, and other motor skills), sleep disorders (like sleep apnea), and vision problems. They also withdraw easily which enable it to contract infection or diseases faster than others who do not have Down syndrome.

All throughout these impediments, occupational therapy practitioners play an important role in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the individual, these occupational therapists help the family members understand and appreciate your situation. They also prepare your family psychologically, enabling the oldsters, particularly the mother, to effectively care for the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the fogeys' expectations of a child with Down syndrome, guiding them detail by detail on how the treatment is progressing.

There are also cases where occupational therapy practitioners can also be present inside the classroom. This is to boost 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 may have Down syndrome also reap the benefits of occupational therapy, because they try to be productive at work, learn skills that enable them to live independently, and stay physically active for any healthy lifestyle.

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